More often than not (or maybe it's just my good luck) homecomings take place in the wee hours of the morning. This one was no exception. We arrived around 3:30am to prepare for the Marines' arrival, and it was a pretty chilly November morning in the hanger!
Stephanie contacted me the month prior because her original photographer was relocating and would have to miss it. Sadly, such is military life! You can only plan to be spontaneous. Lucky for us, HMLA-269 stayed pretty close to schedule. Buses rolled up around 5am and we watched as all the newly grounded Marines lined up in formation, anxiously awaiting that first hug from their loved ones. When they were released it was like a stampede! So glad I was able to catch their first embrace over the tall shoulders of dozens of unformed Marines running by.
And even happier yet, this was the last deployment for The G Family. <3
