Bob McCarty Writes

Thousands of soldiers from Missouri’s Fort Leonard Wood will pass through St. Louis Lambert International Airport today on their way home for the holidays.

Unable to make it there this morning, I offer instead one of St. Louis blogger Doug Edelman‘s best photos from the kickoff of “Exodus 2009″ which saw dozens of local patriots come to express their thanks for the sacrifice so many young service members — including airmen, sailors and Marines — make to safeguard our freedom.

To see more photos like the ones above and below (my favorite), click here.