Message from OWHMD Founder – May 2012
In 2004, Congress passed a resolution proclaiming May as National Military Appreciation Month, calling all of us to remember those who gave their lives in defense of freedom and to honor our military men and women who have served and are presently serving our Country.
The freedom and security that we enjoy today are the result of the blood shed and continued vigilance stateside and abroad. Sacrifices from our military and their families, have preserved the liberties that have enriched this country, making it distinctive in the world community.
During the month of May, we celebrate our patriotism by marking significant holidays to remember including – Victory in Europe (VE) Day on May 8th, Armed Forces Day/Week on May 20th, and Memorial Day. May we never forget the sacrifices our servicemen gave to defend our freedoms.
I ask you during this month, take a moment and honor our veterans, teach the younger generation the stories of heroism and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Sincerely,
Kathy Thorp, Founder, Operation Welcome Home (Maryland)
About Operation Welcome Home Maryland!
Hundreds of our Sailors, Airmen, Soldiers and Marines return from the War on Terror every week through the gates of the Baltimore/ Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
Since March 2007, Operation Welcome Home volunteers have greeted over 700 flights and more than 150,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guard service members. We invite you to come on out and help us welcome them home!
Take a look at the EVENT CALENDAR on the right side of this website to see the current month’s event dates or call our hotline at (410) 630-1555 for recorded information about our next event–and PLEASE be sure to call the hotline again before you leave for the airport to make sure the flight has not been delayed or cancelled.
We are also meeting many unexpected flights so keep watching the calendar for changes; we suggest putting our hotline telephone number in your cell phone to get up to the minute news on new flights we will be meeting…
Thank you for your interest in supporting our troops and giving them the hero’s welcome home they truly deserve!!!
We encourage military personnel from all services to come in uniform to greet your fellow servicemembers!
ATTENTION: Companies, schools, church groups and other organizations:
We invite you to come out and support our welcome home events, and/or contribute water and snacks for the troops; please email us at webmaster@owhmd.org
Volunteers are always needed to give our troops the hero’s welcome that they deserve. Operation Welcome Home (Maryland) averages one welcome home event per week, and YOU could be part of the excitement. Individuals, corporations, youth groups, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, civic organizations, religious organizations, and government agencies have all participated in events since our founding in March 2007.
Volunteers help decorate the lobby with patriotic signs and banners. They also package “goodie bags” for the troops, many of whom are hungry, thirsty, and tired from their travels and will be waiting on a connecting flight. When the troops arrive through the doors of the International Arrival terminal, we shower them with praise, cheering them on, hugging them, offering them a “goodie bag,” and thanking them for their service.
Email any questions you may have to: webmaster@owhmd.org … Thank you!
