Editor’s note: Frank Lickliter II has gone to Iraq this week as part of the USO’s “Operation Links Handshake Tour.” His fiancée, Diane Owen, talks about getting ready for his return home.

I spoke with Frank Sunday evening and for the first time during his trip, he did not sound enthusiastic. I asked him if he was OK, and he said that he had just flown back to Kuwait with a fallen soldier. I realized that for Frank, this was the reality of all he had seen and done on his trip.

The next day, their last, they met their largest group of soldiers. Frank said that Jerry and Corey ran into Andrew Magee’s brother, Major Magee. Wow -- what are those chances!

Frank arrives home today. I can't wait -- I will probably be at the airport hours early! I wanted Frank to feel and smell the start of the holidays, so I went out to find the biggest Christmas tree possible, a 12-foot Frazer Fir. Mission accomplished!

Our last conversation was about the camaraderie of his fellow golfers with the troops and how this was the trip of a lifetime! Our heartfelt thanks to the USO for making this trip possible and most of all to Jerry Kelly, Corey Pavin, Donnie Hammond and Howard Twitty, who went with Frank. These Guys really are Good!