A couple weeks ago, I completed one of the things on my 33-list: greeting the troops at
DFW airport. It was something my pastor and his wife did and I saw it on
Facebook, so I found out all of the information and decided to do it! There is a very strong organization that arranges everything for the "Welcome Home A Hero" program at
DFW airport - I was SO impressed. They really care about those soldiers that are coming home and it shows.
There is a flight that lands in Dallas/Fort Worth every single day of the year that brings soldiers home from either Iraq or Afghanistan for R&R - most of them are going to catch a connecting flight to their home within the U.S., but this is their first touchdown on American soil since they stepped on the plane in a war zone.
Here's a little information on their website:
Welcome Home a Hero is a program started to encourage and support our deployed military. Anywhere from 150 - 275 Troops come through DFW airport each day (7 days a week, 365 days a year) on their way home for a two-week R&R (Rest and Recuperation). One flight a day arrives at DFW and one goes back each day. A small portion meets their families here but the majority will catch connecting flights home. Volunteers gather each day to be there to welcome these Troops off their flight, thanking and encouraging them for their service to our great nation. The majority of the Troops are coming from Afghanistan and Iraq. DFW has assisted thousands of men and women since the first R&R flight arrived in November of 2004.
While our Troops are thrilled you are here to show your support, many of them are very battle weary. Some have been on foot patrols in cities where the threat of suicide bombers is ongoing and for them walking into the warm welcome that DFW community provides can be intimidating and or threatening for them. This may be their first time to back in a group of people since their last mission. With this in mind, we ask you to be respectful of their needs. Shake their hand, cheer, tell them thank you but please refrain from hugging them. Let them be the initiators of that! Be aware of those who, for what ever reason don't want to make eye contact or shake hands or anything. Please let them pass freely. We never make judgments about their responses, because we never know where they have been, what they have seen. Also, please do not bring latex balloons or clappers.
The instructions say to go to a specific terminal and gate in the arrivals area and there is even a parking lot right there that is free! They also give you vouchers to get out of the airport for free (usually there is a toll). There are greeters from the organization right at the door to tell you how it works, give you a flag to wave, and answer your questions.
This arrival area is specifically designated as the military arrivals location, so there are permanent 'decorations' that children, families, companies and organizations have made to show their pride and appreciation.
This one below was my absolute favorite!
I think that all who made these signs and show up day after day definitely would make America and Texas proud if everyone knew this program existed.
This is what the gate area looked like when I arrived. I was kind of early, since I thought I would have to park in airport short term parking and walk in....but I didn't have to!
This is the sign that the soldiers see as they come into Dallas!
There were girl scouts, boy scouts, families, veterans, a photographer that donates his time & talents, etc. They even had a stereo system piped in with patriotic music playing as the soldiers came through.
This is when they got everything roped off and told everyone the rules and what to do and what not to do.......just waiting for them to get through customs and come through!
I loved this guy - can we say "patriotic"?? And they even told parents to watch their kids with the flags....that they are NOT a toy and shouldn't be merely "played with".....that they shouldn't fall on the floor, be stepped on, held upside down or disrespected - that would be offensive to the soldiers who see that. Things I wouldn't have thought about.....and I also didn't think about the fact that noisemakers, balloons, etc. aren't allowed because of not knowing where these folks served and that those sounds resemble gunfire.
Here they come!
Most of them were smiling, shook hands and were very engaged with the crowd.....some looked travel weary, some looked perky, but all looked like heroes to me!
The crowd cheered for every single one that came through - and they were very
sporadic; they had to individually go through customs, so it wasn't like one big parade of them came through all at once - it was a few at a time and then back to waiting. But every single one was cheered through to patriotic music and welcomed home to the USA and Texas!
I happened to meet some special people while I was there. The picture below is of my new friend Martha and her husband. They are part of an organization called Soldiers' Angels. It is a group that is nationwide and basically matches up civilians back home with soldiers serving overseas. You write letters, send packages, etc. to your adopted soldier and they can write back if they want. I am going to get involved - they were such wonderful people and it is an amazing organization that does so much for our military.
And one last thing - when each and every plane full of soldiers comes in to DFW, one of the local fire departments is there with two trucks and they "shower" the soldiers home. They line up their trucks on either side of the runway and shoot water at the plane when it lands to welcome home the soldiers. All of the local DFW fire departments trade off, but there is a department there every single day of the year for these planes. The day that I was there, the Irving Fire Department was on hand to take care of duties. I love this part!
What amazes me is that neither dog hogs the food. They each will eat about half the bowl and leave half for the other dog. It is so sweet to me. Here's Owen getting a drink while Maggie eats.
Since I got Owen last Thanksgiving, he has demanded a lot of attention and has needed some training on how we do things at our house. Consequently, Maggie got less attention than she has been used to for the previous 6 years or so. I sometimes feel bad and wonder if they both feel equally loved - I sure hope so. Occasionally, I will do things with just Maggie or just Owen so they get lots of undivided attention.
She looks like my little angel in her white bed. So peaceful......
My sweet baby Maggie - she'll always hold a special place in my heart, as my first dog ever. :)
