From seven time zones away in the battleground/desert of southern Iraq, Maj. James Dyke was a trans-continental fan last winter of the Richmond Royals PeeWees.

This past Sunday, he did his cheering rinkside, in the chilled air and friendly confines of SkateNation Plus.

A billboard-sized sign, saying "Welcome Home Major Dyke," was scripted in black and white.

But make no mistake - this heart-tugging, special occasion was all about red, white and blue.

Hankies were in order as the PeeWees and Hampton Whalers skated an exhibition game for no other purpose than for Maj. Dyke, home on 15-day R&R, to watch goalkeeping son Trevor in live action.

Many in a star-spangled crowd, as well as the players during introductions, waved small American flags.

Maj. Dyke stoked the Royals' adrenaline levels with a pregame locker-room speech.

"This is an unbelievable gesture," said Maj. Dyke, 40. "Most of these people don't even know me."

SOME BACKGROUND: Coached by Scott Gruhl (former coach of Richmond Renegades), the PeeWees posted a 16-3-1 record this past winter and won the Capital Beltway League.

All that was missing from the dream season was Maj. Dyke, who kept abreast of the action via e-mail and "DSN morale calls" from Tallil Airbase near An Nasinyah and the ancient city of Ur.

The Royals had been idle some six weeks before Sunday's exhibition. SkateNation donated the ice time.

"Even though I've never stepped foot on ice, hockey has become such a big part of our family," said Maj. Dyke. "For years, it has been two, three practices as week, and two, three tournaments a month."

A West Point graduate, Maj. Dyke serves as Executive Officer of the 530th Battalion in Tallil.

He's on a third stint at Fort Lee, where he previously received Basic and Advanced Training. He's been in Iraq the past 11 months and will continue to serve overseas till mid-October.

Maj. Dyke, wife Angie and sons Trevor, 12, Justin, 10, and Cameron, 7, make their home in Chester.

HIGH HOPES: Maj. Dyke is convinced American troops have body checked the opposition into the Iraqi sand dunes.

"We're doing great work over there," he said. "There's been a lot of dramatic improvement. The [Iraqi] citizens are behind us 100 percent."

Making the day complete, the Royals defeated the Whalers 5-2, with Trevor Dyke making numerous acrobatic saves, including several glove saves.

At a postgame picnic, Maj. Dyke tossed a few horseshoes when he wasn't shaking hands and getting patted on the back.

If he was a bit red-eyed, he explains why:

"This just blows my mind," he said of the homecoming shindig. "I've been choked up for days."