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Hi Christine,
How wonderFULL :)
Of course have his/her favorite things
for the meal.
I would give a set time for start/end
to the party since it may be a great time but tiring/overwhelming if they have not seen folks for awhile.
Keep the decorations simple but fun and colorful. Balloons are great for any age, of course.
Set up smaller groups of chairs/tables and invite the returning hero to join different ones for more personal visits.
Take lotz of pictures, of course, & present an album or DVD to the guest of honor for a keepsake after the party. |
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| Posted by
Dawn Estelle on August 20, 2009 2:56 PM |
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Make it patriotic red white and blue everywhere, let him know how proud you are of him and the sacrafices he has made to fight for our freedom. Make all (or as much ) of his favorite food for dinner and his favorite kind of cake, I'm sure home made would be the best (been a while since they had a home cooked meal or anything) Candles for the cake they have sparkler candles at Wal-Mart they are wonderful. Have signs in the yard and windows welcoming him home and wishing him a wonderful birthday. I have two sons one was injured in Afghanistan and is now out of the military and the oldest is still in. They were always happy to come home and be spoiled with good home cooking and lots of family!!!! Congratulations to your soldier and WELCOME HOME |
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| Posted by
A Soldiers Mom on August 20, 2009 3:35 PM |
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I remember someone tying yellow ribbons on trees surrounding the house for their military returnee. Will he need some time to decompress? Will he do better with lots of people greeting him? That would determine what you do, a big party or smaller intimate get togethers over a period of time. |
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| Posted by
anonymous
on August 20, 2009 9:27 PM |
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I would get everyone he is close to to write a favorite memory of the person(serious, funny, touching, life changing)even before he went away. This could be when he was young to current.Or a blessing they want to say over their life, a thank you for serving. I feel the main thing is they were already a HERO in someone's eyes before they even left and now even more so.Also, maybe they have a favorite picture of them with them or friends or family or by their selves.It would be really neat if they did not have it or had maybe never even seen it.Gather all together and put in a big "treasure chest" and say these are just some of the letters saying how we cherish you...our true treasure. Maybe put a big yellow ribbon on the chest and let him take it off. Now that he is home....the tie a yellow ribbon thing. Tell him thank you for me. Thank God he is home safe and sound. That really should have been at the top of the list!!!!! God bless! Pam |
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| Posted by
on August 21, 2009 12:46 AM |
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Having been the one returning from duty, I know it is a very individual thing. The soldier may want a big fuss or none at all. He may have done or seen things you can't imagine. Some things he was compelled to do having sworn to protect and serve his country.
Listen with your ears and heart.
In my case I wanted a quiet return. To meet with loved ones and friends when my emotions were serene. I found myself laughing or crying at odd times. Talk to him or her. It goes without saying you want to do the right thing. God Bless the soldier, all my brothers and sisters. Jim |
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| Posted by
Jim on August 21, 2009 5:36 AM |
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Do nothing for that day. Just show the love to that soldier. After they are home for a few days then maybe you could have a party. |
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| Posted by
anonymous
on August 22, 2009 5:08 AM |
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I agree with the comments about keeping it low key until you know what your soldier wants. When our son returned from Iraq, we had a sign posted at the edge of town welcoming him home. It did not cost us anything because the sign maker donated it for our son's homecoming. We asked other businesses in town to post a welcome home message on their sign boards such as the schools and fire station, barber shop, etc. Everyone was happy to do so and our son loved driving around town seeing them. After he was home a few days, he felt like getting together with people so we had a picnic/open house late afternoon into the evening. We had his favorite foods, and a special cake. We did have some patriotic decorations like small flags and red white and blue flowers. A family friend who is a lobsterman donated lobsters as a surprise for the occasion. We had a portable fire pit so people could sit around it visiting as it got dark.
Hope this gives you some ideas. Give your soldier our thanks for his service. |
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| Posted by
Marine Mom on August 22, 2009 6:02 PM |
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So many people have mentioned being sensitive to what the soldier wants. I think it may be important NOT to have a birthday party right away. If you have time to write, ask who would be welcome at a quiet gathering of 2 -5 people and don't feel offended if you are not included. Many returning soldiers need time to gradually resume intimate relationships. You don't say if your soldier has physical wounds - those are important to consider, as are the feelings of loss, survivor guilt, or just plain weariness. As others have said, be sensitive. Perhaps offer several suggestions, one of which is a quiet homecoming with only one or 2 people meeting the plane - again, perhaps not you. You are wise to think carefully about meeting your soldier's needs, about what would be the most appreciated welcome. Thank your soldier for all of us who value the service of our loyal service men and women. |
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| Posted by
Miz Loo on August 22, 2009 7:34 PM |
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I want to thank all of you for the great ideas.i think I can use some things from all of you. He does want a big celebration. He had the small the last two times he was home and seemed disappointed. Thank you and yours for your service and again thanks for the ideas. |
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| Posted by
Christine on August 22, 2009 8:16 PM |
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I think your soldier might appreciate something NOT about the service at all, something just fun. How about an Island party? Tons of big bright flowers of all colors. Umbrilla's at every table and of course GRASS SKIRTS!!!!!! Check out Oriental Trading on line, they have it all.Serve pork roast,fried baked potatoes,salad,and lots of fruit and coconut. Find the right music and have a good time and #1 thing-LAUGH!!!!!!!!!Cut out huge green paper leaves and glue them onto twisted green paper to make vines and run them all around. It will look great. Good luck , Gale |
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| Posted by
Gale Osborn on August 23, 2009 7:00 PM |
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Congrats on your husband coming home!
I just read something about having a limo take you back from the airport. I think that is an awesome idea. My husband comes home in 22 days and I think rather than spending an hour + in the car just trying to focus on traffic, why not sit in the back of the car with his favorite food and drink and talking sans stress.
Good luck with the homecoming! |
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| Posted by
V on October 06, 2009 4:59 PM |
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This is an idea my sister had as Christmas gift for our parents one year.We each wrote a thankyou letter to them. This makes a personal gift that can be opened at the time you choose and a keepsake. |
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| Posted by
anonymous
on November 16, 2009 8:24 AM |
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