Returning Home by Storm Grayson
The anticipation, the excitement and enthusiasm had been building for weeks, from the time when news of the regiments return was broadcast. It had been twelve long months since the families had been left so suddenly – war had broken out with little warning. There had certainly been unrest in that God forsaken country, but nobody ever thought it would have come to all this death and destruction.
Lives had been torn apart, the barracks had been bustling with life. New recruits being drilled by the sergeant who had a voice that could split the sound barrier, more experienced soldiers stripping engines and going on exercise up on the plain. Landrovers and trucks, back and forth through the main gates. Then, that terrible afternoon when they were all summoned to the parade ground, experienced soldiers new something was about to happen, but the new recruits had no idea of the call to arms. They were all gone by midnight. It was supposed to have only been a couple of weeks, but it had been twelve interminable months, except for the repatriation of those injured or killed in the field. But now war was over and the banners and bunting fluttered in the breeze. Trestle tables laden with food was set up in the mess hall. Welcome home was written in huge letters on banners that were strung up all around the walls. Wives, girlfriends, husbands, boyfriends and children had been busy cooking, cleaning, making flags and signs in readiness for a welcome return to family life.
Some although excited were aware and worried as they had been spoken to about the changes war can have on men and women who have been in the front line. Shell shock or PTSD as it is now referred can cause much anxiety and family breakdown, with many months of treatment it is sometimes never cured. Bad things can happen to those left behind as well, a few cannot or will not wait causing some relationships to founder whilst they are apart. Hopes and dreams can be devastated while waiting for the family to be together again, unexpected circumstances can intervene making life very unsettled and with a member of the family so many miles away everyone has to pull together.
There was a buzz of excitement as the engines droned loudly making the plane vibrate quite fiercely. No comfortable seats, padding or drinks trolley on this flight. There was much talk of all the things they had missed back home and heated discussions of what they had seen and witnessed. Female soldiers being treated the same as the men joined in with their own stories; sitting together the desert sand still in their hair and on their boots. Sorrow was hanging heavy in the air with the remembrance of those who had lost their lives and would not be able to experience that excitement and jubilation of returning home.
The sound of the engines changed to a deep rumble and the soldiers knew that the moment they have been waiting for over those long months was about to arrive. Somebody started to sing and soon everyone joined in whooping and clapping until their commanding officer called order. Once landed they collected their kit and were to be taken for a quick de-briefing. They were allowed a few minutes to freshen themselves up. Then marching proudly together they went to meet their loved ones.
A huge cheer went up and shouts of their names were called; children cried, the noise was loud but ecstatically happy. Hugs and kisses, babies who were born while they were away looked at their fathers with puzzled expressions and girlfriends were proposed to. The joy of the families back together was just too much for some, camera’s flashed and the local news reporter and television were there to record the excitement and do interviews. Everyone wanting to know what it had been like and would they be sent away again.
Having been moved outside for the occasion the noise of the mess gong rang out interrupting the celebrations and everyone piled into the hall to enjoy the food and listen to speeches.
To many this was a bittersweet homecoming, but their fallen comrades would never be forgotten as they in their own way had come home too.