I love stories like the one we presented yesterday about Jason Venini.

That was his smiling face you saw on Page 1. Right next to his beaming mom.

And why not. You may have noticed Jason was wearing Army fatigues. He had just gotten home from a tour in Iraq.

Venini shipped out just about this time last year. Which created a problem for the lifelong Phillies fan.

After suffering through one of the longest championship droughts in sports history, Venini had the misfortune of being on the other side of the globe as his beloved Phils treated the rest of us to a Red October and a World Series championship last year.

So is it any wonder that one of the first things Venini wanted to do, after huggging all the family and friends that greeted him at the airport and at his Lansdowne home, was plant himself in front of the TV and watch the Phils-Rockies Monday night?

The Phils even got in on the act, winning a classic and closing the door on the Rockies to advance to the NLCS and a date with the Dodgers.

Venini also missed last year’s NLCS when the Phils beat the Dodgers to advance to the World Series.

You can be he won’t be missing Red October, the Sequel.

Welcome home, soldier. A heart-felt thank you from one Phillies fan to another for your service.

Go Phillies!