Operation: Love ReUnited

Editor’s Note: Look for an upcoming series of featured sessions from many of our OpLove participating photographers.  This post was submitted by Miranda Corbell Photography

In September I had the honor of being at the homecoming of Josh, the daddy of Keegan and Killian, who I photographed with their mom, Lauren, last spring.  Josh had been deployed overseas for months and months.  To say that they were excited to see him is an understatement.

It was very exciting, and intense, to be there for the homecoming.  All the families from Josh’s squadron were there, waiting for their husbands, dads, sons and brothers.  We waited in a hangar on the base until the word came that the planes were coming in.  We all came out onto the airstrip and watched the planes fly over the hangar, everyone was waving American flags and yelling, Lauren was pointing up to the planes, telling Keegan and Killian that daddy was in one of them.

The planes landed and lined up, and everyone waited (not so patiently this time!) until the propellers turned off.  Then those plane doors opened, the soldiers started to come out, and then all the kids and wives ran to meet them.  Josh scooped Keegan up in his arms and held on tight, with the biggest smile on his face.  It was so wonderful to see this beautiful family reunited at last.

While we were taking some photos next to one of the planes, out of nowhere, three year old Keegan put his hand on his Josh’s face and just stared at him, as if in disbelief that his daddy was really there.  I will never forget this moment for as long as I live.

Submitted by Angela of Powell Woulfe Photography

In December 2010, I was contacted by Megan.  Her husband, Jake, had recently left for his deployment, and she wanted to make sure that he received a warm welcome home when he returned from his tour.  And of course, she didn’t want to worry about who would capture those first moments as they reunited.  We kept in touch as May grew closer, and finally, on Wednesday, May 25th, the day had come!

I met Megan and a few of her fellow wives at the hangar about 30 minutes prior to the anticipated arrival of HMLA-169.  The hangar was filled with hundreds of people: families, parents, children, friends, neighbors and other Marines.  Balloons floated in the air.  Signs and banners  were hung from the walls of the hangar.  There was even a bounce house provided by MCCS.  You could feel the anticipation and excitement in the air.  And even stronger, the feeling of pride.

Well, we waited.  And we waited some more.  Then we went out towards the flightline, and waited some more.  Then it was getting chilly (and the wind picked up) and the sun had gone down, so we went back inside to wait.  By now, many people were getting restless.  Who could blame them?  Then everyone moved back outside to wait on the flightline for the buses to arrive.  The ladies were receiving text updates from their husbands on the buses, who were just as anxious to be home.

Finally, someone yelled, “There it is!”  The first bus pulled into view.  And the crowd started to cheer.  Smiles spread across the faces of everyone, particularly Megan. She received a text from Jake that said he was in the first bus at the head of the line; we were standing towards the rear, so we ran.  (Megan ran a little faster than I did, but I managed to keep up.)

We arrived at the head of the line, and then waited some more while the Marines unloaded from the bus.  Megan knew she was just moments away from holding Jake again.  And then suddenly, she ran and jumped, and the rest is happy history!

I’m so happy that I could be there to document this special moment for Megan and Jake.  I hope that they will treasure the photos for years to come, and maybe even share them with their children and grandchildren.   Please join me in welcoming home the Vipers!!!

A few months ago, Kristen of Photos by Kristen submitted these images and a brief message: