My husband, E3 Ship Serviceman Clerk Paul Kirkpatrick. served aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard CVA31 from November of 1969-June 1971. When the ship arrived at North Island Navel Air Base returning from Viet Nam, they were for released liberty. They took a shuttle from the ship to the mainland, when they arrived at the pier on the mainland they were met by protesters throwing what ever garbage they could find at the sailors, calling them names. As they walked around downtown San Diego they met with a few more protesters who called them foul names. Not a great homecoming.
I was living in Texas waiting for the birth of our first son. On December 10th Paul obtained leave and came home. We were waiting for him at Midland Air Terminal. I had seen the way servicemen were treated at the airports. My Mother-In-Law was concerned that we could get caught up in some of that trouble so she insisted we wait inside the terminal for Paul. (there was a time when one could go out on the tarmac to meet their loved ones). I spotted him coming down the stairway from the plane. I edged as close to the door as I could then I stepped outside. He saw me and started walking faster towards me. The other passengers must have noticed what was going on because suddenly there was an opening and just like you see it on the TV today he had a corridor of folks patting him on the back and saying welcome home. My husband was blessed that day. He held the memory of San Diego in until just a few months ago. I don't know if his welcome in Texas made up for what he faced in San Diego but it maybe it have helped a little.
Midland, TX
