[DIYPatriot]

My best friend came home from his latest combat tour and surprised me by showing up unannounced at my office. I work 2 jobs and live on the other side of the country from him(for now, he's stationed at Ft. Wainwright). It took a good bit of planning on his part to drop in and catch me off guard.

I introduced him to several of the guys and gals that have sent him and his unit care packages. He ended up presenting me with a flag and certificate from a drone mission that flew the flag in my honor. That completely blew my mind. I didn't realize that they did such a thing.

Needless to say, the boss man gave me the rest of the day off (and anyone else who cared to head to the nearest bar) to congratulate my friend's return. My entire office cleared out within minutes and we knocked a few down in his honor. It was nice to see so many, who never met him, head off to welcome him home.

And it was even better to stay up all night into the early morning hours sitting outside next to a fire catching up with him. It's the simple times that matter most.