Becka @Studio222 Photography: BRAVO! Have a fantastic time!

Katie: Leslie, come back! I miss your daily posts and wonderful photos.

Melissa Manzione: amazing images Les :)

Mom: Everytime I think you've outdone yourself...you do it again! The picture of the children holding the flag waiting so patiently is priceless. Great job babe.

Kristin: I love this!! The story, the pictures everything! Some of the best homecoming photos I have seen in a while, you should become a part of OPLove (www.oplove.org) its a blast! I love doing those sessions!

Kylene Gay: Ok yes, a bit teary eyed over here! My brother-in-law just got back from 7 months in Iraq/Afghanistan a couple of weeks ago. I wish I could have been there to photograph it like this (but Hawaii was just a bit too far). :) They'll always appreciate you documenting this wonderful moment for them!

jill smith johnsoN: well, I am in tears as I look at the wonderful pictures you took for Steph and JT. My husband, Drew has only been home for a month from deployment (6 months). It is something hard to describe to someone who has never expeirenced a deployment/homecoming, but I think you did an awesome job of what a homecoming is all about. Steph will ALWAYS cherish the photos you took for her, they are priceless, at least mine are. Great job Leslie!!

JM: It's their job! I served six wonderful years in the USAF! I did my tours as well. Many young kids go in today because A. They can't find a job. B. For the education benefits (which quite frankly suck compared to my old GI bill) They forget that the job of a "soldier" is to serve, and to protect at the calling of the Commander in Chief. They forget that they WILL be put in harms way. They forget they will be asked to KILL. They, I, we are NOT heroes. We are doing the job we are (were) sworn to do. For years, and years, between Nam (when I served), and 2001 there were a few conflicts, nothing major. I served with many kids who were in it for the reasons stated above. They really, and honestly were clueless as to the fact that when conflict breaks out they will be forced to fight. I'm extremely proud to have served in the Air Force. And, I would do it again if asked to. Deal with it.

Leslie Roark: My father served in the Vietnam War.. my husband was a member of the USAF Reserves for 8 years and was deployed overseas. Both knew exactly what they were facing when they signed up. IMO they are hero's. Deal with it.

Jen Johnson: I think you captured the emotion of this day in an amazing way. I can only imagine the host of feelings the couple felt as they waited to be reunited. Our military men and women are heroes, even if they were deployed for a short time and not put in direct danger...they are heroes because they know that their circumstances can change in a flash because they felt the call to protect OUR freedoms! I'm SO GLAD you were there to witness this couple's first moments back together. The relief, joy, and love on their faces is priceless! Well done!

Melissa: JM- Families are separated by military deployment every single day. The only thing documented in this post is the re-uniting of two people in love. Please keep your nasty comments to yourself.

Leslie Roark: Another blog reader sent me their comments. Since her husband is active duty in the military she did not want her name used as to avoid any conflict. A. My husband joined the military though ROTC at his university during his freshman year so finding a job wasn’t the issue at hand. It wasn’t a split second decision in order to avoid unemployment. B. The educational benefits are fantastic. If the individual is willing to commit himself/herself to service after their education... why not take advantage of the educational benefits? C. Nothing in the blog post indicated that anyone forgot that their job was to serve and protect so this was not the medium to address the author’s feelings about this issue. D. Combining the next two points: Again...no one mentioned in this blog post forgot that he/she would be put in harm’s way or that they would be asked to kill (another reason why this medium was not the appropriate place for your comment). In fact, everyone involved in this post was very aware of the imminent danger they would be put it but they went into it since it was their JOB (as you pointed out). E. You point out that they (or you) are not heroes. Please scroll up and read through the blog post again. You will notice that the word hero was never mentioned in the post. Your point is irrelevant. Finally..Thank you for your service in the Air Force. You tell readers to “Deal with it.” Noone said we aren’t. We are, in fact, dealing with it. I will revert back to what I was always taught as a child... If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all. You were wrong to "rain on the parade" of the happiness of this post. If you have an opinion on all of these matters (which you clearly do), I suggest you start your own blog instead of intruding on a happy occasion and using it as a forum to push your negative opinions. I think it was very well stated and deserved to be shared! xoxo, Leslie