Explains that people have adopted airport welcome home traditions to make the transition from mission to post mission life easier. Describes why missionaries qualify as a folk group, while explaining that many people outside of the group can identify with missionary experiences and emotions. Discusses various airport welcome home activities and discusses causes for their evolution, such as airport regulations. Suggests that perhaps these homecoming celebrations are more for the benefit of the family than the missionary they are honoring. Includes personal narratives about missionary homecomings. Created by Heidi Barlow while she was enrolled in Jill Terry Rudy's English 392 class during Fall Semester 2003.