FORT CAMPBELL, KY. - The last day of January was special for 281 soldiers with the 159^th Combat Aviation Brigade as they touched down at Campbell Army Airfield late Tuesday night.  As with every Welcome Home Ceremony for troops returning from Afghanistan there were cheers from family and friends when the plane touched down and more shouts of joy when the door to the aircraft opened.
 
There was a slight drizzle of rain as the soldiers made their way from the plane to the hangar but it didn’t matter as everyone waiting for their soldier made it very clear that they were happy to see them.  The soldiers then marched into the hangar as the building erupted with cheers and applause.

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It was of course a special night for the returning soldiers and their family and friends but for two soldiers it even more exciting.  As the soldiers were released for a few minutes of time with their families Staff Sergeant Joey Honeycutt had something very important to ask Specialist Trina Rice who just minutes before had stepped off the plane.
 
As soldiers and family members scrambled to find each other in the crowded hangar Rice and Honeycutt quickly came together and embraced as only a couple who have missed each other very much can.  A circle formed around them because Honeycutt had shared a secret that many people knew about but that Rice wasn’t quite aware of just yet.
 
It was then that Honeycutt lowered himself to one knee and asked Rice to marry him as he placed a ring on her finger.  You couldn’t hear the proposal because of the noise surrounding the couple but then Rice was the only one who really needed to hear.  Rice’s answer quickly became obvious as the two were all smiles and embraced again and those around them broke into cheers and applause.
 
The two were originally deployed together but Honeycutt returned earlier and prepared his proposal for Rice when she returned. “I’ve been planning this with some of her friends for quite a while now.  I don’t think she knew even though a couple of people almost let it slip,” Honeycutt said.
 
Rice said she was surprised and excited by Honeycutt’s proposal of marriage.  “It was difficult for the last couple of months being without him but now I’m back home and I’m really excited and happy.  I’m really looking forward to spending the rest of my life with him,” said Rice.
 
Another Welcome Home Ceremony is scheduled for Task Force Thunder soldiers this weekend and all of the 159^th Combat Aviation Brigade troops are expected to be home by the end of February. 
 
 
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