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October 04, 2004
Jesse's home
Last Friday, another hero returned home from the battlefield. LCpl Jesse Markel is a very special Marine to me - he shipped to boot camp the same day as my own son and I've followed his progress with special interest. His parents have kept me updated on his activities and he's been on my prayer list for several years. So, when I received an invitation from Marine Corps Mom Nicole to his welcome home party, it was cause to rejoice. And not even the impending eruption of Mt. St. Helens could keep the reception committee from greeting him at the Portland Airport.
 | A group of friends and family waited anxiously for his flight - delayed slightly by a puff of smoke from Mt. St. Helens - to arrive. A flight attendant who walked by, stopped to read the signs and whispered, "Welcome home, Marine". |
| Jesse's grandparents had mile-wide smiles. When I hugged his grandma, she and I both shed a few tears of thanksgiving. One more Marine safely home. |  |
 | First glimpse of Jesse walking through the crowds. Lots of hugging and backslapping. |
| Grandma got the first hug. |  |
 | Welcoming another friend home - Jesse played sports with these guys throughout high school and they caravaned to the airport, cars festooned with signs and banners, to welcome him home. |
| There's no better friend than a parent. Dave and Nicole Markel have been a great support system to Jesse and many other Marines. |  |
 | Jesse, front and center, surrounded by good friends. |
| Later that evening, the Markels hosted a welcome home party for Jesse at Wyatt's Brewpub in Albany. Laura, from Corvallis, was a penpal while he was deployed and met him for the first time at the party. |  |
Posted by Deb at October 4, 2004 04:15 PM
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Comments
Deb,
Thank you for sharing those pictures with all of us. They brought tears to my eyes. All Marines that are singel should get a penpal.Looks like this Marine got lucky. HAHA. Thank you for all you do for the families.You are great support.
Mary Helen
Posted by: Mary Helen Bartch at October 5, 2004 07:13 PM
So glad to see Jesse home safe and sound. I haven't seen or heard anything about Nicole in such a long time. Now if we can just get the rest of the 12/13 Marines home safe we will all be good to go. Seems hard to believe it will soon be 2 years since we all met in San Diego.
Frankie Raney
MM of LCpl Chris, MSSG-24/Medical Camp Kalsu,Iraq
Posted by: Frankie at October 8, 2004 07:50 AM
Deb: Just caught your post while surfing for info on Camp Kalsu. I enjoyed a little of Dave & Nicole's joy which is so evident on their faces. My son is also serving at Camp Kalsu with the Army and has been there since March. No matter whether Marine, Army, Navy or Air Force - it is so nice to see one of our "boys" come home.
Thanks for sharing with us and my prayers and thanks go out to Jesse.
Jamie - Army Mom
Posted by: Jamie at October 11, 2004 04:36 PM