Returning soldiers always receive welcome home greetings as they exit their planes at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and Linda Robinson was always among them. But on Wednesday, she was on the receiving end.

Robinson was engulfed by people welcoming her home after a long stint in Iraq. She departed Texas in September to help open the first USO center in Iraq.

She has touched soldiers through her work, including Sgt. Levi Bowlin of Nebraska.

"I went in to use the phone and she asked me if I knew how to make a bracelet," Bowlin said while recalling the time he wandered into her office at Balad Air Base.

"Connecting through crafts is what that's called," Robinson responded.

Recalling his own encounters with Robinson, Bowlin admitted he didn't know of her story before she travelled to Iraq.

Robinson got hooked on greeting troops after her own son went to war in 2004. And after he came home, she volunteered to spend a whole year in Iraq with the USO.

“That's awesome," Sgt. Bowlin said. "That’s very unselfish on her part."

Upon seeing her husband, John, after her arrival, Robinson fell into his arms as others waited to welcome her home.

"It’s been an honor and privilege," she said of her time in Iraq. "It's been hard, ups and downs. I wouldn't trade one minute of it."

While in Iraq, Robinson made sure soldiers got free phone calls, Internet, television and warm homemade bread. She also sent military families videos of soldiers reading to their children.

Robinson got constant e-mails and photos, too.

“I'm just overjoyed right now that she's home," he said. "[I'm] proud of what she's been doing."

But Robinson is home for only a few days, and then she is back off to Iraq.

About the time she returns in September, her son will leave for his second tour as a member of the Texas National Guard.

Robinson said she is conflicted about that.

"I told him I would stay over there and work the rest of my life and never come home on R&R if it would mean my son never having to go back, just because there is so much I would rather him not have to do," she said. "It’s a big knot in your stomach, but I’m so proud."

Robinson’s eyes appear to mist over a little as greeters reach out to the line of returning soldiers.

It’s clear she’s proud of all of them.

E-mail jdouglas@wfaa.com