A Hero's Welcome Published Oct. 10, 2013 By Staff Sgt. Matthew Plew 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Air Commandos from the 522nd Special Operations squadron returning from a deployment to Afghanistan were welcomed home by 27th Special Operations Wing leadership, family and friends during Operation Homecoming at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 7, 2013. Dozens of Air Commandos and family members gathered outside the hangar as they waited for their friends and loved ones to land; ready to reunite with them with heartfelt hugs and kisses. For Cannon spouse Elssy Bingham, it was an opportunity to give her husband, Maj. Robert Bingham, the hero's welcome that she felt he deserved. "I think that every service member deserves a homecoming like this," she said. Over the course of several days leading up to Maj. Bingham's return, Elssy coordinated with Principal Linda D' Amour at Clovis Christian School to plan a surprise reunion assembly for her husband and their children. A supporter of Cannon's Air Commandos, D' Amour was honored to have the entire school participate in the family moment. "It is probably the most heartwarming thing we could do, because every parent knows what it's like to be separated from their children," she said. "We celebrate with joy just to watch them reunite." As Maj. Bingham arrived at his children's school house, the entire student body lined both sides of the long hallway of the main entrance, all waving miniature American flags and chanting "USA, USA," as Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" played from the schools public announcement speakers. For the Bingham children, the appearance of their father as he walked down the hallway was an unexpected surprise; but the grand reception that Maj. Bingham had received from his children's school was far more than he anticipated. "It went a little differently than I thought it was going to go," he said. "I thought that I would just go to each of their classrooms and surprise them. In the end, I think I'm the one that got the big surprise." With their family whole again, the Bingham's plan is to work to make up for lost time. Their story is one of many that U.S. service members share. It is a reminder of their sacrifices made in the continued defense of the nation and the unconditional love and support of those awaiting their return.