Brentwood Home Page news reports On Tuesday we asked BHP readers to post their emotions experienced while participating and observing injured Army Spc. 4 Andrew Wilson's Hero's Welcome. Today we share those comments, as well as those shared via email and Facebook.
It's not too late to add your comments. If you're not a BHP member, click here to sign up without cost and to be able to add your comments. Feel free also to send any photos you want to share to news@brentwoodhomepage.com.
And please enjoy our videos and slideshow by mother-daughter photo team, Jodi and Zoe Rall.
Brentwood Academy alumni Class of 2007 lined the streets to welcome home their classmate.
Brentwood Academy Class of 2012 seniors have adopted the Wounded Warrior project for their special project. They were there to welcome Wilson home.
The Spc. 4 Andrew Wilson Welcome Home Motorcade was filmed by Zoe Ralls, Ravenwood High student.
I can’t begin to share with words the emotions and sights I experienced today at the celebration honoring Specialist Andrew Wilson. I was positioned with the firefighters at Owens Chapel Church of Christ, where strangers were shoulder to shoulder with flags and umbrellas in hand. As the rain fell harder, the excitement mounted till finally the first police car crested the hill. Then we all broke out with cheers, applause and tears.
How proud we were to have the opportunity to stand in the comfort of our wonderful, cozy little town to show our gratitude for Andrew, the wounded warriors and those still serving our country. The sight from our spot looking toward Brentwood Baptist Church was overwhelming. I doubt that the rain kept anyone home this morning. … Christmas is alive in Brentwood!
Peggy Howell, Brentwood
I was honored to be a part of Andrew's Homecoming Parade with my daughter's school, Lipscomb Elementary today. Seeing all the young children cheer him on was so very special. It is a memory I will share with my kids for a lifetime and I feel SO Blessed to be an American today. Thank you for your service and warm spirit, Andrew! May God Bless you in your journey.
Jill Doyle
What an amazing homecoming for Andrew, it was an honor to welcome you home!!! Thank you!!
Diana Nelson-Torres
It was very patriotic to see Franklin Road lined with people waving flags, in spite of the rain. The Fire department lifted a large flag over the road across from me. Andrew waved and smiled to everyone. It was a proud American experience. God Bless him!
Tom Hart
Such a wonderful homecoming for Andrew, and such an awesome thing to be able to have my kids be a part of it. I agree with Tom - it was a proud American experience (that brought me to tears).
Melissa Stainton Collins
My son, Max and I just came back from witnessing something that I hope is going on all over the country. We have a local soldier who came home to Brentwood, today. He came home after months of hospitalization at Walter Reed. While serving, 25 year old Andrew Wilson, lost both of his legs. He was greeted today by thousands of people standing in the pouring rain, waving flags and giving cheers with tears in their eyes. I have never met Spec. 4 Andrew Wilson, but I am proud to have him in our community and I am equally proud of our community for acknowledging what a true American has done and sacrificed for our country. Thank you to all our soldiers and military. I am especially proud to be an American today.
Julie Schman Reynolds
What a moving tribute to honor this young man!! I was so impressed with the number of young children showing their support. It looked like several thousand people were out this morning despite the rainy weather. Thank you to all the great military people keeping us safe & free!!
By: Jill_Burgin on 12/20/11
I was truly in awe of what I saw on the streets of Brentwood today as I watched the motorcade that brought Andrew home. The messy weather did not deter anyone from expressing their pride in and support of Andrew and his family. Folks of all ages stood shoulder to shoulder (or umbrella to umbrella!) all along the route home, and strangers got out of their cars and held their hands over their hearts to show their respect for Andrew and his sacrifice. This war has been polarizing for many, but Andrew reminds us that behind every statistic is a person. I am glad he made it home, and I am so proud to live in Brentwood. City Commissioner Jill Burgin
By: scottshaw on 12/20/11
It was an awesome occasion. It was really moving to be a part of this reception. Thank you so much for organizing it. God Bless you Andrew.
By: Naturalist on 12/20/11
I was SO touched to see the turnout today for Andrew Wilson. Hundreds standing out in the rain to salute this young man as he returned home. I am proud to live in a community that responds with such grace and sincerity! Thank you Andrew for your service and thank you Brentwood for welcoming him home. God Bless America and Merry Christmas!!!
By: thebucketlady on 12/20/11
What an honor it was to stand out there and cheer on this young man! I was so proud of the people of Brentwood today, and proud to be an American ! God Bless you Andrew !
By: re55 on 12/20/11
Thank you Andrew for your service and your defense of our country and our Flag! May God Bless you and your family this Christmas season, Welcome Home Son. Rick English
By: TennGent on 12/20/11
Andrew, You are part of the "other" one percent. My son is at Ft Hood now training to deploy in May. Thanks for your service and standing on the wall for us!
By: reneeyarbrough on 12/20/11
We were unable to attend, because we are out of town for the holidays. Thank you so much for posting these pictures and the story. It made me cry to see the city of Brentwood honor its own. To know that we as a city are faithful to the important things...there isn't anything more that a resident could ask. I'm proud to be a resident of Brentwood, but even prouder to be from the same city as Andrew Wilson.
By: Webe123 on 12/20/11
Today was a day to be remembered in Brentwood, TN. I stood, with my fifth graders, on the hill at LES. It was a moment to be cherished and held in our hearts forever. God Bless the USA, God Bless Andrew and all the men and women who selflessly sacrifice for our country. Thank you to our police dept. and local citizens that organized Andrew's homecoming...now THAT is Christmas.
By: srburgin on 12/20/11
I have always been proud to be from Brentwood, but never more proud than today. Thank you Andrew and thank you Brentwood for supporting not only Andrew, but all of our service men and women. I enjoyed the video's posted on this site . . . in the the first one of Matthew Proctor (part of Andrew's BA class of 2007), Matthew neglected to mention that he served two tours of duty as a US Marine. Thanks to all who serve!! We are proud!!
By: pjshowell on 12/20/11
Chief Watson....Thank you for orchestrating such a memorable day! Giving us the opportunity to share chills and cheers with fellow neighbors to honor Army Spec. Andrew Wilson and our local veterans for their service. Standing along side our Brentwood fire fighters and a numerous neighbors at the Owens Chapel Church of Christ, we all anticipated the arrival of our local hero, Andrew! As the first police car crested the hill, we united as one with cheers of appreciation! As I glanced across the Turner farm, what a thrill it was to see the hundreds, yes hundreds, of people gathered on Concord Road sharing in this celebration. Brentwood is a great community filled with such caring citizens. A little bit of rain can't dampen our pride! What a memorable experience for all of us! Thank you Ricky!
By: bookish59 on 12/20/11
Andrew, there are many of us who could not be there today who are also proud of you and praying for your future. Thank you for serving your country, on our behalf. I hope all your friends will rally around you as you make the difficult transition to civilian life, and that somehow you will find great opportunities you never even dreamed of before.
By: larryfrankenbach on 12/21/11
I was honored to be part of the motorcycle escort for Andrew Wilson. Despite the conditions, the outpouring of emotions evident on the faces I saw along the way, from tears to cheers and from pride to gratitude, was nearly overwhelming. As a former resident of Brentwood, I saw friends and neighbors who brought home the great feeling of what "community" means and why our family will always treasure the years we had together in this special place. Andrew and his family will always be cared for and supported in their village.