Please do not post the dates for the homecoming here or anywhere. I am fairly certain that no one knows any real dates at this time, but regardless, it is a safety issue to post the dates when our Marines and sailors are traveling.
When the dates are known, the KVs and family network will pass that information. If you do not have a KV or are not in the parent network, please talk to someone who is so you can get the correct information. Also, keep in mind that not everyone will be returning at the same time (even people in the same company may be coming back on different days or at different times), and a lot of this can change at the last minute.
I have covered many homecomings and deployments, and some of them I have actually showed up on base for, only to be told the guys have been delayed hours or even a full day. So please keep in mind that you should plan for having a day or two worth of cushion if you are traveling from out of state. I know it is really annoying to have to do things at the last minute (I wasn’t even able to get the day off from work last time, and he got home a few hours earlier than originally expected, so I had to pick my husband up, go to sleep almost immediately, and then go to work that evening at 11 p.m. Luckily I don’t work at that place anymore!).
Because of the method of travel and the fact that they will be back at the base before they leave, you will probably also be able to get some information from your Marine or sailor (this is especially helpful if you do not have a KV or don’t hear from yours very often). Still, keep in mind that even that can change, based on aircraft availability, etc.
As for the homecoming itself, I don’t know what they are going to do, and it may depend on when your Marine or sailor returns. If he ends up getting back at 2 a.m. some day, it is doubtful that they will have a huge celebration when they get off the bus. But there will probably be a tent and food and maybe even games for 1/6 and maybe the other parts of the MEU as well, provided they get back during the day sometime.
Hope this helps. Again, PLEASE do not post dates. I got a phone call about this already.