Awesome.
How on earth did you plan anything? My DH's R&R & homecoming dates changed sooooooooooooo often & so much that I had no idea when he was coming home. I got a call a few hours before they arrived back at armory late at night. I was only able to round up a few friends to join me in welcoming him home. Its was too late at night / early am for elderly family to drive & wait for them to arrive.
I couldn't plan anything for fear of him not being there. I wanted to meet him in Germany on R&R, but was afraid he would not arrive & I would be there all by myself. Other wives talked me out of planning any type of trip.
Glad it worked out for you.
Oh, and love your free Build-A-Sign banner. Several of us from the unit used them also for our free welcome home banner. Loved it. Really customized his with photo, unit icon, deployment tour & dates. A real keepsake.
FYI, we are in MA also.