I was lucky enough to attend the Welcome Home Troops party this past Friday at the NAS JRB New Orleans base. The celebration was held to honor all of the troops who have come and gone from the base for the past year and all of the stops were pulled out.
There were inflatables for the kids to play on, a rock climbing wall for everyone and some deliciously cold sno-balls...then there were the clowns and the visits from Dora, Diego and the mascots from both the Hornets and the Zephyrs were on hand as well.
A line of tents were set up with activities for the kids, including cookie decorating and face painting.
Our Last Hope is the name of the new band formed by members of the on base Teen Center and they kicked things off with 4 songs. What a great job, especially since they have only been together for about a month!
After Our Last Hope was finished performing, local band Chicken on the Bone took the stage, which was located in an airplane hanger, to rock out...
After their performance, the band donated a special bass guitar to the MWR guys who were responsible for coordinating the entire event.
The lovely ladies from the NAS JRB Credit Union had a booth set up with information for the troops and they were also the sponsors of the fireworks that closed out the evening.
While the patriotic tunes were playing, the explosions of color across the sky were just awesome.
Thank you to the MWR staff for inviting us to attend and allowing me to have a chance to meet so many of the troops that are serving our country. Thank you all for all that you do.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Original article at West Bank Living
Gosh, what a nice welcome home celebration! And so well-deserved. It looks like it was a lot of fun for everyone.
I would like to say Thanks for sharing this story & pictures. My husband is retired military and I feel a great honor to have you share your story with AR. I am proud of all our military & their Families! :)
AWESOME, Lisa! Love that guitar and it sounds like a great time was had by all!
Thanks so much for sharing!
Kelly, it was so much fun and so nice to see all of the families taking part too.
Brenda, thank your husband for his service and thank you for your very kind words.
Amanda, wasn't the guitar cool? My husband was thrilled when he found out that there is actually a recording studio on base and he hopes that someone gets to play it soon.
What a great party! What a great reason! THanks for bringing this to us, Lisa.
Chicken on the Bone -- LOVE those shorts!
Elaine, I have passed on your couture kudos to the head Chicken :)
Wow! Looks like ya'll had a great celebration! ;)
Lisa, What a wonderful event, I LOVED the photos you took and could almost feel the energy...I can bet you had a fantastic time.
Lisa, the fireworks on the left...that pic is awesome!
Lindsay, it was a really fun day and I felt so honored to be there.
Carole, we did! I'm so glad my husband's band was invited and I got to tag along :)
Jeremy, thanks...I'm still playing with learning all of the settings on my camera. Every once in awhile, I get something good. LOL!
LISA - The troops received a well-deserved welcome home. Good for you and the people of New Orleans for giving them a day to remember.
Adam, I can't take ANY credit. The event was organized by the MWR staff on the base as an opportunity for the families and the troops to have a great time while being recognized for their service and I was just lucky enough to tag along and get to participate.
Hi Lisa,
What a great event (and photos!) Our troops deserve to be remembered and honored, what a wonderful way to do that.
Cynthia, they deserve that and so much more! I'm just thrilled that I was able to take part.
Hi Lisa...What fabulous photos of what looks like a wonderful celebration for a very special event. All of you will have lasting memories of that day. What a welcome home!
Kate
Lisa, thanks for sharing what looks like a VERY fun, moving day. Your photos area great! Chicken on the bone?....Hmmm have to learn more :-)
Kate, thanks, even though it was hot as blazes we had a great time :)
Colleen, hee hee...I had to plug the hubby's band! LOL
What a Very Nice Welcome Celebration. Great Pictures!
Thanks, Kathy!