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WELCOME
"MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ARMED FORCES"
I salute you. It is an honor to welcome you through the San Francisco Port of Embarkation on behalf of the nation that you went abroad to defend and preserve. I know that your hearts are full of gratitude, as ours certainly are on	this day	of your return.	Our
welcome will be one of deeds, not words.	You	can rest assure	that
the San Francisco Port of Embarkation -- through which two-thirds of all our fighting forces in the Pacific went overseas -- is determined to do everything humanly possible to make your return as pleasant as possible, and to speed you on your way to your families and your homes at the earliest possible moment. But whatever we can do for you here is only a small token of the things the American people have planned for you to show you their lasting appreciation of what you have done. I wish for every one of you individually the success and happiness that you deserve. May your homecoming be as happy for you as it is for us who have never ceased to pray for it since the day	you	went	away. Sincerely	and
humbly, a grateful America welcomes	you	back	home.
Major General Homer M. Groninger Commanding General San Francisco Port of Embarkation December 1945
The above greeting to personnel on board our transport ship was published in the souvenir edition of the "Marine Serpent Crier" bulletin dated 11 December 1945.