This past Friday evening, we picked our son, PFC Aaron Welsh, up at the airport.

After finishing a stint in the Navy, he re-joined the military, this time choosing the Army.

He has just completed his Warrior Transition Course in Oklahoma and additional training at Fort Jackson, S.C.

He flew home in uniform, and what followed has reaffirmed my belief that while many do not agree with the war, so many more support our troops.

After a fellow passenger asked him to switch seats so she was able to sit with her children, which he readily agreed to do, the flight attendant instead moved him to first class.

His fellow passengers erupted in applause.

While we waited for his luggage at the carousel, many women stopped and thanked him for his service and sacrifice, then quickly went on their way.

My heart swelled with pride and then immediately my thoughts went to the mothers of Devon Gibbons and Samuel Stone, and so many more mothers and fathers, knowing the sacrifice their children made.

My heart ached for them.

Our son is home for 20 short days, then he will ship off to South Korea to his duty station.

It will be hard to send him away to again serve his country, but it is what he has chose to do, and we respect that.

His deployments in the Navy were easier to send him off on, as he was stationed either in San Diego or Everett, and we knew he’d only be away six months (safe on a ship).

Korea seems such a world away, full of much turmoil.

To everyone of you who support our troops, thank you.

When you witness the gratitude first hand, it truly does make your heart swell.

To the families that have made the ultimate sacrifice, thank you is not enough.

While the ache in the heart is not the same, please know that many share that painful ache.

DAN & ANN WELSH

Port Orchard