By Henri Giles*
Nov. 10, 2009 | ATLANTA (UMNS)

Joyce McClure waits impatiently in the Atlanta airport for her son to return from war.

“This is a blessed day,” says the Rome, Ga., resident, while watching for Army Specialist Demetrius Irvin’s appearance. “It’s wonderful.”

Her shrieks of joy when she spots her boy are reward enough for the men and women who wait with her, the members of the Mount Bethel United Methodist Church’s Veterans Ministry.

On the first Thursday of each month, this group convoys to the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport with one mission: To say thank you to the troops who either are passing through or arriving home.

“Unlike previous wars, particularly Korea and Vietnam where the soldiers weren’t welcomed back, we make sure they’re welcomed back and they all appreciate it,” says Bob Babcock, point man for the ministry that works with the USO to take its turn serving as the greeting party.

Babcock was enlisted into this cause when senior pastor Dr. Randy Mickler asked if he would form a ministry to serve veterans.

With veterans and their wives from virtually all branches and some with service dating back to World War II among the Marietta congregation, Babcock found many willing volunteers.

Handshakes and Hugs

On its appointed day, the group from Marietta loads the church van with food and supplies at the crack of dawn and hits the road, making sure to arrive at the airport in time for the steady stream of the 500 or so service men and women who daily pass through the Atlanta airport.

After the handshakes and hugs, Babcock’s group helps the soldiers get oriented, pointing them toward gates and baggage carousels and, of course, to the USO. There, while the soldiers wait, they can enjoy hotdogs, chili, donuts, snacks, beverages and more welcoming faces.

“It’s wonderful to see these fellas here,” says Mount Bethel member Stella Johnson, who helps prepare the food.

“You get to talk to them. They like to talk to you about their families, and where they came from and where they’re going.”

Not all of the travelers are going to find peace, though.

“Some of them are going over for the second and third time, and some of them are ready to retire,” says Johnson.

Those who are bound for duty overseas line up for goody bags handed out by the ministry.

“We appreciate you and thank you from the bottom of our heart because you’ve got the most important job in the world today,” Babcock says. “We’ll see you when you get back. Good luck and God Speed.”

Witnesses to joy

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Such moments can be somber for the ministry members as the men and women in uniform are bound for harm’s way.  

But the Mount Bethel volunteers also are witnesses to joy, like the scene when the joyfully shrieking Joyce McClure finally shares the embrace of reunion with her son.

After lifting McClure from the floor and hugging her, it is obvious that Demetrius Irvin is thankful to be in his mother’s arms rather than in Iraq, where he’s spent the last nine months.

“To be honest, I didn’t think I’d see this place again,” he says.

“I’ve got a lot of emotions going through me. It’s kind of hard to explain and put in words right now. I'm happy.”

Looking on, Babcock says: “Oftentimes, I end up crying seeing such a happy reunion. … I’ve never had a bad day down here.”

*Giles is a freelance producer based in Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Fran Walsh, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

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