This one is dedicated to all who served and our families. With love and eternal gratitude from this grown up army kid.

Sammy, Ilna, REAL McRollers, love you all.

Welcome Home

At 75 degrees and sunny, Monday's weather was perfect for the Veterans' Day Parade and the staging area for those who would march buzzed with activity. "Ready to march?" Steve asked the kids who were wearing US Navy ball caps and Tshirts.

"Ready," DJ said with a nod, "I always like supporting veterans and the parade is awesome because we get to meet so many at once."

"And meeting them with Grandpa is the best." Angie adjusted her hat and Steve smiled - it was one of the rare occasions his daughter didn't mind wearing something on her head. The seven year old pointed to where Joseph stood with a group of vets, animatedly sharing the tales that undoubtedly surfaced on the special day.

"Dad!" Catherine called, walking up to him.

Joseph turned, his face lighting up at the sight of his grandchildren.

"We've got your marching buddies," she said as the kids hugged him.

"Can't wait to walk with my favorite supporters," he said and kissed each grandchild's head. "Your mother's at the destaging area helping prep the lunches."

"Old habits." Catherine kissed his cheek before greeting the other veterans.

"Hi, everybody! I can't wait to walk again this year!" Angie gushed, charming the group of men in their fifties and sixties.

Catherine grinned and knelt beside her. "Remember, today is about doing what?"

With no hesitation, the seven year old replied, "Honoring people who served and thanking them. Like Grandpa and you and Daddy and everybody."

"Exactly," Catherine said, nodding. "Good girl. Daddy and I will be near the end of the route. Stay with Grandpa and DJ."

"I'll help Grandpa watch her, Mom," DJ confirmed, putting an arm around his sister's shoulders and making both parents smile as Angie said, "I'll stay right where they can see me," repeating what her parents had told her on the drive over.

"Okay, baby girl." Steve bent to kiss her cheek and hugged DJ. "Have a good parade. Meet you near the end." He looked up at Joseph, who was smiling ear to ear when he placed a hand on each child's shoulder. "We'll see you at the end and we'll be ready for lunch, right, you two?"

"Lunch in the tent is fun," Angie nodded, reaching for Joseph's hand. "What time do we walk?"

Joseph checked his watch. "Ten minutes. Let's go find our spots."

As they walked with the members of the Pearl Hickam contingent, the kids went back and forth to veterans and spectators lining the parade route, passing out tiny flags, little thank you notes they'd written and red, white and blue wrapped hard candies. "Look." DJ pointed, "There's Mr. Johnson from the community center." He made sure Angie was at his side, and stepped over to the man wearing a Vietnam Veteran hat.

"Hi!" Angie exclaimed, waving enthusiastically before running up to wrap the man they knew from his volunteering at both the center and the local BINGO hall in a hug. "Thank you for your service, Mr. Johnson. We 'preciate you."

The silver-haired man, sitting proudly on one of the reviewing benches, hugged her back with a smile, his eyes glowing with appreciation when DJ added, "Welcome home, Mr. J."

"Thank you, both. It means the world." He gave a small salute towards Joseph and waved at the kids as they rejoined their group.

As the parade progressed, the trio walked the route waving and to and thanking the veterans who lined the street.

"Do you think everyone feels appreciated, Grandpa?" DJ asked, his voice serious. "I told Angie we should tell Vietnam Veterans, 'Welcome Home' like you said.

"That's right," Joseph responded. "It's important for them to know people care and that we remember their sacrifices."

"Even if we weren't borned yet when they got home. Mommy and Daddy weren't even borned, right?" Angie asked while she took her grandpa's hand, picking up on the importance of the statement.

Glancing at the sea of faces in the crowd, many of whom sported Vietnam Veteran hats, Tshirts and even uniform blouses, jackets and insignia, Joseph gently squeezed her fingers. "That's right, sweetheart. A lot of them didn't get the welcome they deserved when they returned home. That's why we always say, 'Welcome home' whenever we meet one."

"That's very very important," the seven year old said.

"It is," her brother agreed. "We owe it to them."

As the parade wound down, the family made their way to the post-parade tent which was filling up with marchers, their families and guests.

"Daddy!" Angie exclaimed, her eyes spotting Steve in the crowd. "We saw Mr. Johnson! He said to tell you and Mommy hi. I gave him a thank you note."

"I'm glad you saw him," Steve said as he lifted her into a hug while DJ hugged Catherine. "He's a good guy. And you know what? Every thank you and smile matters to him, just like all our veterans."

DJ had gone to stand with Joseph, caring etched on his face as they talked with two men he knew from Pearl. When they stepped away, he asked, "Grandpa, what was it like for them when they came home?"

"Were people not nice to them?" Angie asked, joining her brother and grandfather, distaste for any unfairness evident in her eyes and her tone.

Joseph's expression shifted, a small shadow passing over his features. "It was… different for them. Not everyone understood what they went through. Some people didn't approve of the war, and took it out on the soldiers, which was not only very wrong, it caused a lot of our Vietnam veterans to have lasting problems."

"That's … wrong and sad." DJ said, his tone earnest.

"Really sad," his sister echoed, and standing a few feet away, Catherine slipped her hand in Steve's. They had kind, compassionate kids, and nothing made her happier.

"It is sad." Joseph bent to look in their eyes. "But days like today help remind them their service mattered. Every war has its own challenges," he replied thoughtfully. "But the Vietnam veterans faced a lot of misunderstanding and pain. That's why we honor them by welcoming them home."

"I'll remember that, thank you for telling us, Grandpa," Angie said, and Joseph held out his arms. When both kids walked into the embrace, he hugged them, whispering, "You two are worth a million."

Lunch was ready in the post parade tent for participants who had walked as well as their guests and the family made their way to where Elizabeth had saved them seats at a table.

"Hey!" a familiar voice called. It was Danny, approaching with Grandma Ang and a big grin. "We had a great spot. He kissed Ang's cheek as she took a seat at the table. "You are now my official parade date forever."

"Sounds like a deal: Ang said with a smile. "And since Gabby made her incredible Chili, I think that's the first thing I want to eat."

"Which was great of her since the museum's open and she had to work," Steve said. "I'll get a bowl for Grandma Ang and then we'll hit the buffet line.

"I'll get it, Dad," DJ offered, already moving towards the food station.

"That's our sweet boy," Ang beamed and patted the seat next to her for Angie to hop up.

As the day went on, DJ and Angie listened intently when any of the veterans stopped by their table and told a story snippet or two.

"Know why I think hearing everyone's stories is important?" DJ asked Joseph.

"Why?" he replied.

"Because they remind us how brave people are to serve and they remind us we should be grateful."

Steve shared a look with his father in law over the boy's head as he leaned over to wrap him in a hug.

A few feet away, Angie said, "Welcome home. Thank you for your service," running up to a nearby Vietnam veteran who had been sitting with some friends.

"Thank you, sweetheart," the man said, clearing his throat. "That means more than you know. You're Steve McGarret's girl, right?

"Yes! My Daddy's right over there. Do you know him? " She pointed while Catherine smiled from a few feet behind her. She still wasn't completely aware of how many people knew who her parents were.

"I know your Grandpa, but I've met both your parents." He touched his hat brim. "How are you, Lieutenant?

"Please, Commander, it's Catherine." She offered a hand, "Good, thanks…"

From the table, DJ watched his sister interact with the man and his friends. "She's just like Mommy," he said with a smile and the adults absolutely agreed.

A bit later, the family moved among the tables, sharing their own experiences and listening to other veterans' tales of bravery, sacrifice, and camaraderie.

Eventually, it was time to head home. "Did we honor enough veterans today, Mommy?" Angie asked after hugging her grandparents and Uncle Danno goodbye.

Catherine wrapped an arm around her, squeezing gently. "Absolutely. And we're proud of you both." She looked at Steve. It was so much more than the parade; it was a reminder of the bonds that held all veterans and veteran families together. Their children understood that, as Steve and Catherine had as kids.

Angie beamed, and seeing two older men packing up to leave the tent and go home, she pointed at their Tshirts, and said, "Welcome home."

# End

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