Monday, May 5, 2008

Operation Welcome Home

(Submitted by Glenn)
Check their website for pictures and updates at http://www.operationwelcomehomemd.org/

May 3, 2008
OWH Friends: We hope you are enjoying the beautiful Spring weather. You will find below the May 2008 schedule for Operation Welcome Home. For those who attended events in April, there was a pattern of flights coming in an hour or two early. We adjusted the time of arrival for volunteers, but often, the troops were walking through the doors just as volunteers were arriving. The most important thing is that the soldiers got home safely, but we do not want you to miss out on any of the excitement. If you plan to attend an event, please be sure to check the OWH hotline (410-630-1555) to see if the time of arrival has changed. We monitor the flights and will post updates on the hotline. May 17th is Armed Forces Day, and we plan to have an event that day. What a perfect day to turn out and show our respect and appreciation for our heroes! Bring your family, a friend, or a neighbor. Let’s make this a big event! Thank you again for all of your hard work. Operation Welcome Home is all about our troops, but we could not do this without the volunteers who show up at the airport. We look forward to seeing you at one of the events in May!
Very truly yours,
John Flynn and Kathy Thorp Co-Chairmen

Tuesday, May 6 - 4:00 p.m. - Ken and Lisa Funk
Tuesday, May 13 - 3:15 p.m. - Duke and Jean Case
Saturday, May 17 (Armed Forces Day) - 9:45 a.m. - John Flynn and Kathy Thorp
Wednesday, May 21 - 12:45 p.m. - Bob and Arlise Cianelli
Saturday, May 31 - 6:45 p.m. - Bill and Debby Poteet

From a soldier “I just want to also say that moment will stick with me for the rest of my life. I had not felt such a sense of pride and glorious moment since becoming a Navy Chief 3 years ago. Becoming a Chief and graduating boot camp are the only 2 times before this that I had felt such pride. Of course there have been several proud and wonderful moments throughout my 16 year career, but this will definitely stick with me. The homecomings to family and friends are always so very special and proud moments and are often unmatched and I rank this WELCOME HOME as that kind of special. I was so excited and for lack of a better word shocked that so many strangers would come out and welcome us home and show their support it literally brought tears to my eyes when I was telling my wife and mom about it over the phone that night as I had to wait there in Baltimore one more day before returning home. You all made this a very special and unforgettable Homecoming. Please pass to all your friends my appreciation. Your dedication and taking time from your lives to spend time with us on this day and countless others shows such a great and deep appreciation. Please continue in this effort and continue to keep the men and women who serve in your thoughts and prayers until everyone comes home. Thank you so much!!”

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