Welcoming Home the 855th Military Police
Homecoming for the 855th Military Police National Guard unit
Local pickup in Phoenix, AZ (480) 359-1193, Chandler, AZ (480) 702-3447 and Las Vegas, NV (702) 291-1734
On July 8th, Aqua Pool Supply had the honor of being part of the homecoming for more than 50 soldiers from the Arizona National Guard 855th Military Police unit, returning home after a year-long deployment to Fort Greely, Alaska.
During their deployment, these soldiers protected one of the nation's missile defense sites, enduring temperatures as low as minus 65 degrees. Beyond their guard mission, they trained in drone operations and earned drone flight certifications along the way — and brought home the title of Best Warrior Competition winners in Alaska. A remarkable year by any measure.
Aqua Pool Supply was proud to donate the poster boards, markers, glitter, and craft supplies that families used to create personalized welcome-home signs for their soldiers. We also printed custom welcome-home graphics with the Aqua Pool Supply logo — for families to add to their posters or keep as a keepsake from the day.
It was a small contribution to a big moment. Watching kids concentrate on making a sign for a parent they hadn't seen in a year — writing "Welcome Home, Daddy" in careful letters, adding glitter, and then holding those signs high as the buses rolled in — that's a memory we're grateful to have been part of.
The smiles, the hugs, and the emotional reunions were a reminder of something important: behind every soldier is a family serving alongside them. Spouses holding down households. Kids growing up while a parent is deployed. Parents and siblings waiting for the call that their loved one is on their way home. These families sacrifice, too — quietly, and for a long time — and July 8th was as much their day as it was the soldiers'.
To every soldier of the 855th Military Police unit: thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your unwavering dedication to protecting this country. Welcome home. We are proud of you, and Arizona is proud of you.
And to the families who welcomed them back — thank you for what you carry, too. We were honored to stand alongside you on such a meaningful day.