Press Releases (Active links)

Older Letters and Notes

  • Navy First Class Petty Officer, September 20, 2008, Navy – “I was told because I wasn’t coming back with a unit or to my home town that I wouldn’t receive a welcome home. Boy were they wrong. When I started to head out I heard wild cheering from around the corner. I thought it must be for a group or for some local lucky troops. No, it was for me! They were cheering for me. Perfect strangers welcoming me home to America. I was gone one long year and the 5 minutes of cheering, hand shakes, hugs and pats on the back made it all worthwhile. I am so happy. I thought my heart would break. You guys are great!”
  • Aerial Ameden wrote a very touching poem entitled “Freedom” – (see the poem below)
  • Thank you very much for the pictures!  And thank you for doing what you do. It means a lot to these guys that they have smiling faces welcoming them home.  My husband thought it was really cool what you guys did.  Keep up the great work and again Thank you!!! Melissa & Michael B.
  • This is a wonderful thing you have started!  I probably enjoy doing this more than anything I’ve ever done. Mary O. (Volunteer)
  • My husband came home from Iraq yesterday and was greeted at BWI by lots of grateful people. I wasn’t able to be there and had to meet him later at another location. He said it was very heartwarming to have that wonderful welcome. Thank you so much! It means a lot; especially when so many seem to be unsupportive of the efforts of our soldiers. He returns to Iraq next month and this visit is very precious to us. Thanks again!!!
  • Thank you so much for meeting us as we disembarked at Baltimore- it meant a lot and was also a pleasure to meet you.  CAPT Kathy M.
  • Thanks for the warm welcome back to the states. I appreciate you taking the time meet us coming off the plane and greeting with applause, a handshake, and the goodie bag, as well as the set up with the local hotels for us to use after the trip back. Again, thanks for the warm welcome back to the states for all of us! Aloha, Shawn.
  • As a Viet Nam vet who came home to less than a favorable reception, I wanted to thank your organization for making the returning vets feel appreciated.  The sacrifices made by these men and women on a daily basis can not be described with any accuracy so others would understand.  Once anyone has been in combat, that individual is changed forever.  You can suppress the memories, but you never forget. God Bless you and your volunteers. A Grateful Vet
  • I can not thank you enough for such a warm welcome for the team and I. It was just amazing on how your staff was able to put together such an amazing welcome for the men after returning from the war in Iraq. Words cannot express my joy and thankfulness for what you have done. Enjoy the holidays and know that each of your staff has a special place in the Marines hearts!! Semper Fideli, “Always Faithful” Bert S.”
  • It was great. Two soldiers who were returning from their 3rd deployment said this was the best homecoming of all. Brenda (A Volunteer) My son is currently deployed in Iraq.  Time spent with OWH is not only therapeutic, but it’s also an opportunity to feel like I’m, in some small way, able to show my appreciation to the sacrifices these men and women have made on behalf of our freedoms.  There’s a strong sense of satisfaction that I’m not only helping the returning troops but showing support to my son as well.  I’m blessed to be a part of this effort and count it a privilege to welcome America’s finest home. Cheryl (Mom of a soldier)
  • I just wanted to offer up my great appreciation for how ‘you all’ welcomed back my brother, who recently returned home from Iraq via the BWI airport.  It meant SO MUCH to him — and also to all of his family, whom he later told. Thanks for all you do to welcome back our troops/military!!!!!! Blessings, Judy
  • First, I’d like to say a huge ‘Thank You’ for your group’s effort to make out servicemen and women feel welcomed and appreciated. My nephew was killed in action in Iraq last October, and I have had the opportunity to talk with his colleagues and get the smallest glimpse of what they are enduring. Regardless of anyone’s politics, these brave men and women have volunteered to serve our country knowing full well what might be asked of them. They all deserve our thanks and a hero’s welcome. Bernadette (Aunt of a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice)

Historical – (Links no longer work)

  • Marylanders welcome military home for the holidays, ABC2News, December 22, 2014
  • Coverage of OWHMD event, December 16, 2014, WMAR ABC, Fox 45 and WMAR TV
  • Operation Welcome Home showered US service troops with hand shakes, thank you and Welcome Home! NewsCast One, July 4, 2013
  • Servicemen return in time for Father’s Day, Fox 45, June 14, 2013
  • OWHMD on Baltimore Fox 45 News, Founder Kathy Thorp interview, March 13, 2013
  • Washington Times Community, Operation Welcome Home: Greeting the returning troops, January 27, 2013
  • Fox uNews, on Operation Welcome Home MD, January 15, 2013
  • Baltimore’s WBFF FOX45 TV Channel video report on Operation Welcome Home, April 26, 2012
  • 2nd DC50 TV video on OWHMD, December 16, 2011
  • DC50 TV video on OWH-MD, December 12, 2011
  • Around Crofton: Girl Scouts sweeten soldiers’ welcome-home celebration, HometownAnnapolis.com, March 15, 2011
  • Operation Welcome Home Greets Returning Servicemen and Women at BWI Airport, myfoxdc.com, December 23, 2010
  • Holiday Well-wishers Greet Redeploying Servicemembers, Defense.gov, December 23, 2010
  • Troops welcomed home from Afghanistan, Fox News, Baltimore, MD
  • Some Troops Made It Home In Time For The Holidays, WJZ-TV, Baltimore, December 23, 2008
  • Troops Receive Warm Welcome Home, Fox 5 News, December 20, 2008
  • Gratitude: Memory of the Heart, moving article about today’s welcome home events around the country, August 2008
  • Troops Return From Mideast Deployments, abc2news—Baltimore, MD, July 5, 2008
  • American soldiers get patriotic welcome home in Maryland,  The Examiner, Baltimore, July 5, 2008
  • Soldiers Returning Home Greeted At BWI Airport, WJZ Channel 13, March 29, 2008
  • Sailors Return From Iraq, WBAL Channel 11, February 5, 2008
  • Project Extends Hero’s Welcome Home To Returning Service Members, Trident Newspaper, Annapolis, MD, November 15, 2007
  • Hero’s Welcome for Troops at BWI, Fox 5 News, November 10, 2007 (video),
  • Troops Return Home to Patriot Welcome, Carroll Standard, September 22, 2007 (Lots of pictures)
  • Public invited to attend soldiers’ welcome home ceremony, Examiner.com, September 20,2007
  • U.S. Navy Corpsmen Homecoming, Navy.mil News Update, August 10, 2007
  • Troops to be welcomed home, Frederick Post Online, August 08, 2007
  • Returning Troops receive Heroes Welcome, The Journal, August 2, 2007
  • Marylanders Welcome Troops Home at BWI, July 30, 2007
  • …Another Just Over, Maryland Gazette, May 23, 2007

 

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