A youngster clutches his dad's leg while the soldier lifts his wife off the ground in celebration of an unexpected leave for the holidays during WWII. The sight of troops coming home—greeted by laughing, weeping friends and family; looking into the eyes of newborn sons and daughters for the first time—is a cultural linchpin, across all societies, in all times. Sometimes a soldier, sailor, or Marine is coming home for a visit; sometimes, troops come home because, finally, war is over. No matter. For that moment, at least, they're home. And nothing else gets in the way.
Photo: Time Life Pictures./Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
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