POLITICS

These Military Homecoming Photos Show Why Veterans Day Is Worth Celebrating

There's no place like home.

Veterans Day, which began as Armistice Day and honored the official end of World War I, is now a day to celebrate and remember all veterans.

Throughout the year, thousands of troops come home from long deployments to be greeted by family and friends at official homecoming celebrations.

These photos show that it really is good to be home:

Christian Petersen via Getty Images

U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Chad Boley is reunited with his family at a surprise homecoming prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on Nov. 10, 2013, in Avondale, Arizona.
Cpl. Todd F. Michalek/U.S. Marine Corps

Lance Cpl. David Sellers, a refrigeration mechanic with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embraces his wife with a kiss during the Command Elementâs homecoming on July 17, 2015, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Stephen Morton/Associated Press

U.S. Army Spc. Skyler Ford is kissed by his wife Sara Ford during a homecoming ceremony for troops in the 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team, with the 3rd Infantry Division on July 3, 2013, at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
Luke Sharrett via Getty Images

Members of the U.S. Army's 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, embrace family members following a homecoming ceremony at Campbell Army Airfield on Sept. 1, 2014, in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Marc Piscotty via Getty Images

Five-year-old Gavin Shaw flashes a smile as he hugs his father, Master Sgt. Adam Shaw, during a Welcome Home Ceremony for approximately 230 4th Brigade Combat Team soldiers on Nov. 4, 2012, in Fort Carson, Colorado.
Stephen Morton/Associated Press

U.S. Army Sgt. Aaron Brewster is welcomed home by his parents Sharon and Steve Brewster during a welcome home ceremony on Dec. 4, 2012, in Fort Stewart, Georgia.
Stephen Morton/Associated Press

Mya McNeal is kissed by her mother, U.S. Army Sgt. Kionna Huewitt, during a homecoming ceremony for 184 troops in the 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team after a 9-month deployment to Afghanistan on July 3, 2013, at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
Stephen Morton/Associated Press

Lynne Johnson greets her son-in-law U.S. Army Sgt. Howard Lovell during a homecoming for 184 troops with the 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team on July 3, 2013, at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
Luke Sharrett via Getty Images

Husband and wife William and Rebecca Prestridge and boyfriend and girlfriend Craig Cooper and Ashley Zeigler embrace following a homecoming ceremony for members of the U.S. Army's 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division at Campbell Army Airfield on Sept. 1, 2014, in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Alex Wong via Getty Images

Spc. Marqes Turpin of the 273rd Military Police Company of DC Army National Guard kisses his two-year-old son Josiah Turpin as his sister Nikilae looks on during a homecoming ceremony on Oct. 16, 2012, at the DC National Guard Armory in Washington, DC.
Luke Sharrett via Getty Images

Spc. Brian Bennett of the U.S. Army's 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, holds his 2-year-old daughter Sophia following a homecoming ceremony in the Natcher Physical Fitness Center on Fort Knox on Thursday, February 27, 2014 in Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

U.S. Army Spc. Clayton Joy hugs his sons Peyton, 3, left, and Austin, 2, right, as other soldiers with the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team move to greet their family and friends in the early hours of Aug. 25, 2010, at a homecoming at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state.
Sandy Huffaker via Getty Images

Sgt. Obie Dubose gets hugs from his family during a homecoming for Marines from the 13th MEU on April 24, 2014, in Camp Pendleton, California.
Luke Sharrett via Getty Images

Bradyn Vest embraces his father, Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Vest of the U.S. Army's 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, following a homecoming ceremony at Campbell Army Airfield on Sept. 1, 2014, in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Luke Sharrett via Getty Images

Lt. Col. Sung Kato of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division gives his son an upside-down hug during a homecoming ceremony at Campbell Army Airfield on March 21, 2015, in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Luke Sharrett via Getty Images

Maj. Dave Armeson of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division kisses his daughter Adelyn Armeson, 2, during a homecoming ceremony at Campbell Army Airfield on March 21, 2015, in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Luke Sharrett via Getty Images

Three-year-old Bella Hanley high fives Sgt. Frank Passmore while sitting atop her dad Spc. Jeffrey Hanley of the U.S. Army's 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, following a homecoming ceremony in the Natcher Physical Fitness Center on Feb. 27, 2014, in Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Luke Sharrett via Getty Images

Warrant Officer Anthony Woodmansee of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division is embraced by his wife Emily Woodmansee during a homecoming ceremony at Campbell Army Airfield on March 21, 2015, in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Michael C. Barton

Information Systems Technician 1st Class Milton Hill assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11 is greeted by family during a homecoming ceremony at Naval Construction Battalion Center.
Luke Sharrett via Getty Images

Staff Sgt. Chris Oldham of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division plays with his son Isaac Oldham during a homecoming ceremony at Campbell Army Airfield on March 21, 2015, in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Lance Cpl. Levi Schultz/U.S. Marine Corps

Chief Petty Officer Curtis A. Harmon, leading petty officer, regimental aid station, 7th Marine Regiment, hugs his daughters, Jayleme Harmon, 12, and Anya Harmon, 6, during the regiment's homecoming at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field on Oct. 23, 2015.
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Johans Chavarro/U.S. Navy

Electronics Technician 2nd Class James Whatley embraces his daughter during a homecoming ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Deployed since March, the crew of more than 300 Sailors steamed a total of 48,550 nautical miles across the U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of operation.
Sgt. Brad Mincey/U.S. Army National Guard

Spc. Sabrina Day, 132nd Military Police Company, South Carolina National Guard, smothers her three-year-old son Blake with hugs and kisses on Aug. 4, 2014, at Eagle Aviation in Columbia, South Carolina, upon returning from deployment to Afghanistan.

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