March was a wonderful time for homecomings and reunions in the Parley Philip Johnson, Jr. family! Luke McIntyre Johnson was able to visit on a few days leave from Camp Pendleton, CA with his father and mother, Parley P. Jr. and Callie, in DeFuniak Springs, FL. Luke returned to Camp Pendleton with his dad to greet brother/son Parley Philip ("Tracy") Johnson, III on 18 March on his safe homecoming from Iraq. Tracy had been in Iraq since August, 2008! It was a great reunion for Tracy and Luke, especially, since the brothers had not seen each other since Luke went to boot camp in 2006 (and later to Okinawa, Japan).

Also, Callie Elizabeth "Beth" Johnson Graham welcomed her husband Joey home at MCAS New River, NC on 24 March after his service in Iraq! Beth is the daughter of Parley P. Jr. and Callie Johnson and sister of Luke and Tracy. Beth and son Kaden lived in FL with the family while Joey was in Iraq. In early March, Luke and Parley P., Jr. took their sister/daughter to Camp LeJune so that she could prepare for Joey's arrival. Beth, Kaden and Joey's parents were there for the wonderful homecoming.

So now, at long last and thankfully, all of Parley P., Jr. and Callie's children are safely back in the United States. They remain in service in the United States Marines. Parley, Jr. reports, "Luke is now with the 1st Marine Division at Camp Horno, located on Camp Pendleton, CA. Tracy returns to his duties at the 1st Marine Logistics Group at Camp Del Mar Beach, also located on Camp Pendleton." Joey Graham, with Beth and Kaden, is stationed in Camp LeJune, NC.

Parley Philip Johnson, Jr. is the son of Parley Philip, Sr. and Edith Christine Fail Johnson (Uncle Philip and Aunt Christine). Parley and Callie are doing well. Callie is still working, and Parley is retired from his work at Ft. Rucker. He is looking forward to spring turkey season!

Welcome home, Tracy and Joey! And thank you all once again for your sacrifice and service to our country! Family members, you can send messages of thanksgiving and congratulations to Parley and Callie to parley(at)fairpoint(dot)net. You can write to Luke at depths_of_oblivion(at)yahoo(dot)com.