Home! Mauldin's Col. Mindy Williams Back from Iraq

There are not too many occasions in life that cause a person to laugh and cry at the same time. But returning home to your friends and family after a six-month tour in Iraq would be one of those times.

This is precisely the circumstance that Col. Mindy Williams of Mauldin found herself in this afternoon when she landed at GSP Airport to the delight of the loved ones who were there to welcome her home.

The first to greet her were her husband Chris, who is a Major in the United States Army and daughters Brittany and Brooke.

Chris did two tours in Iraq in 2005 and 2006, so he knows what his wife had to go through, which made seeing his wife come home safely that much more meaningful.

Being a military family, the foursome of Mindy, Chris, Brittany and Brooke have mastered the art of long-distance communication.

“Skype and email, every day,” Chris said, while expressing his admiration for soldiers of previous generations who went for weeks without hearing from the outside world. The communication was great, but it’s not the same as being face to face.

“I cried every night thinking about (my family),” Mindy said.

Her journey home was a circuitous one — eight flights from Iraq were needed to bring her back home. That was forgotten the moment she was able to hug Brittany and Brooke, who are students at Mauldin High School.

In addition to her immediate family, Williams was met by more family and many of her neighbors from the River Walk development.

“Everyone just thinks the world of (the Williams’),” said neighbor Sandy Lawson.

Williams was clearly thrilled to see them, but is also looking forward to relaxing for a little bit.

“I just want to lay on the couch with the family and let my dogs attack me,” she said. So dogs, you’ve been warned.

Once things settle down, Williams will get back to running with the cross-country team, helping the PTA and performing her duties as a Marine reservist. The tears will subside, but the smile will remain for some time.

More photos are viewable at the Facebook page created for the occasion.