Woodlands Villager - News
Family welcomes serviceman home from Afghanistan
By ELLIOTT COCHRAN
A serviceman from The Woodlands returned to the open arms of his family Tuesday afternoon at Bush Intercontinental Airport, arriving just in time for the holiday season and his young son’s birthday.
U.S. Navy Commander Henry Tillman received the embrace and affection of his wife Loree and son Tyler, 4, after serving approximately 300 days in Afghanistan, where he oversaw the training of the Afghan Army in a small camp outside of Pakistan.
The union was timely for the family, with Tillman’s arrival occurring three days before Tyler’s fifth birthday.
“We’re real excited about that,” Loree Tillman said. “ Five years old, that’s a big one.”
Tillman said her husband’s return was emotional, knowing it would mean the departure of another American family’s soldier.
“We’re very excited and very proud of him and we can’t stop smiling,” she said. “But it’s bittersweet having him here and knowing others will have to take his place. I know the sacrifices these families will have to make.”
The 47-year-old Tillman has served in the military for approximately 22 years, spending 10 years in active duty and 12 years as a reservist.
He said the experience of coming home to his family has been emotional, and the meeting brought relief.
“It’s kind of surreal being here; it wasn’t too long ago I was sleeping in a cesspool in Afghanistan,” he said. “I’m looking forward to spending time with my family and catching up on things.”
The series of flights to bring Tillman back to his home in The Woodlands started in Kabul, Afghanistan, then on to Kuwait, across to Norfolk, Va., west to Chicago, then down to Houston.
Loree Tillman has been known throughout the greater Houston area because of Tillman Troops, the organization she launched from home in 2007 to provide support to members of the armed forces and their families.
She said Tillman Troops was started after her husband’s deployment to Afghanistan and has served a twofold purpose as a community service and a way to share her family’s story.
Tillman Troops currently supports more than 200 service members, according to the organization’s website at www.tillmantroops.org.
The celebration of Commander Tillman’s homecoming didn’t end at the airport, as many of his neighbors welcomed him back to the community with yard signs of congratulation and encouragement.
Yellow ribbons symbolizing the awaited return of a loved one could be seen tied across the trees of the Tillmans’ neighborhood.
Neighbor Wendy Adeleye said with Tillman’s return, things around the block can get back to the way they are supposed to be.
“I think our lives will be back to normal now. We’ve been praying for him since he’s been gone and wishing him a safe trip back,” she said. “For my son’s Veterans Day project, he told his (Tillman’s) story to the class, and we’re all very proud of Commander Tillman; it’s exciting to have him back.”
Commander Tillman said he is looking forward to returning to his job at International Paint as an operations employee, but Tyler said he is looking forward to returning to a slew of favorite shared activities with his father.
“We’re going to play and have pony rides and swim in the pool,” he said. “We’re going to watch TV cartoons.”
Villager editor Charlie Bier contributed to this article.
U.S. Navy Commander Henry Tillman received the embrace and affection of his wife Loree and son Tyler, 4, after serving approximately 300 days in Afghanistan, where he oversaw the training of the Afghan Army in a small camp outside of Pakistan.
The union was timely for the family, with Tillman’s arrival occurring three days before Tyler’s fifth birthday.
“We’re real excited about that,” Loree Tillman said. “ Five years old, that’s a big one.”
Tillman said her husband’s return was emotional, knowing it would mean the departure of another American family’s soldier.
“We’re very excited and very proud of him and we can’t stop smiling,” she said. “But it’s bittersweet having him here and knowing others will have to take his place. I know the sacrifices these families will have to make.”
The 47-year-old Tillman has served in the military for approximately 22 years, spending 10 years in active duty and 12 years as a reservist.
He said the experience of coming home to his family has been emotional, and the meeting brought relief.
“It’s kind of surreal being here; it wasn’t too long ago I was sleeping in a cesspool in Afghanistan,” he said. “I’m looking forward to spending time with my family and catching up on things.”
The series of flights to bring Tillman back to his home in The Woodlands started in Kabul, Afghanistan, then on to Kuwait, across to Norfolk, Va., west to Chicago, then down to Houston.
Loree Tillman has been known throughout the greater Houston area because of Tillman Troops, the organization she launched from home in 2007 to provide support to members of the armed forces and their families.
She said Tillman Troops was started after her husband’s deployment to Afghanistan and has served a twofold purpose as a community service and a way to share her family’s story.
Tillman Troops currently supports more than 200 service members, according to the organization’s website at www.tillmantroops.org.
The celebration of Commander Tillman’s homecoming didn’t end at the airport, as many of his neighbors welcomed him back to the community with yard signs of congratulation and encouragement.
Yellow ribbons symbolizing the awaited return of a loved one could be seen tied across the trees of the Tillmans’ neighborhood.
Neighbor Wendy Adeleye said with Tillman’s return, things around the block can get back to the way they are supposed to be.
“I think our lives will be back to normal now. We’ve been praying for him since he’s been gone and wishing him a safe trip back,” she said. “For my son’s Veterans Day project, he told his (Tillman’s) story to the class, and we’re all very proud of Commander Tillman; it’s exciting to have him back.”
Commander Tillman said he is looking forward to returning to his job at International Paint as an operations employee, but Tyler said he is looking forward to returning to a slew of favorite shared activities with his father.
“We’re going to play and have pony rides and swim in the pool,” he said. “We’re going to watch TV cartoons.”
Villager editor Charlie Bier contributed to this article.
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