CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — West Michigan troops received a warm welcome home ahead of Thanksgiving at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Wednesday.
Operation Handshake is an event the airport hosts to welcome home military members and veterans. Service members told 24 Hour News 8 it was an unexpected but welcomed homecoming.
“I wanted to cry, I still do. But it was lovely,” said Army veteran Stacey Brandenburg.
Some military members waited months to set foot in West Michigan.Marine Corps member Trevin Townsend said it’s been about seven months since he was with his mother, Mandi Simon. She was among the many people anxiously awaiting the arrival of a military member Wednesday.“
It gives you butterflies every time. Leaving’s the worst; coming home is the absolute best,” said Simon.