Press Release

Recently the successful “Welcome Home a Hero” program marked seven years at Dallas- Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport.  To commemorate the occasion, I called on the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in congratulating them in a job well done.  You may read a copy of the Congressional Record below.

As we pause to mark Independence Day, I hope you’ll consider finding time to volunteer once this summer at DFW Airport with Welcome Home a Hero.   For the month of July, on even days, flights will arrive at 8 a.m. at Terminal D, Gate 22.  On odd days, flights will arrive at 12:15pm at Terminal B, Gate 37.  To confirm or learn of flight arrival changes, call 972-574-0392 after 8 p.m. the night before for a recorded message for details for the following day.  To learn more, go to www.dfwairport.com/heroes.

Celebrating America’s birthday by supporting our guardians of freedom some time this summer is an excellent way to pay tribute to our independence.  God bless you and God bless America. 

Saluting “Welcome Home a Hero”

“Mr. Speaker, as a 29-year Air Force veteran and a former Prisoner of War for nearly 7 years, more than half of that time in solitary confinement, it gives me great joy to request that the U.S. House of Representatives formally recognize and commemorate the 7th anniversary of the ‘Welcome Home a Hero Program’ at Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport.  I especially want to thank the kind folks at DFW, the North Texas Commission, and the USO for their efforts to recognize and show their appreciation to the brave men and women who serve our country.

‘Welcome Home a Hero’ is a volunteer program to encourage and support our deployed military and greet troops at DFW International Airport as they return home for two weeks of R&R.  Anywhere from 150 to 275 troops come through DFW each day, with one flight arriving daily and one flight departing daily.  Volunteers gather each day to welcome these troops off their flight, thanking and encouraging them for their service to our great nation.

“This wonderful program started in the summer of 2004 when the U.S. military selected DFW to begin receiving the daily 20-hour flights from Kuwait.  Once the flights began, grassroots groups, schools, churches, scouts and veterans organizations began to greet the troops on a daily basis. DFW fire trucks welcome every military charter on the runway with a ‘shower of affection’ to begin the celebration. 

“In fact, ‘Welcome Home a Hero’ has greeted more than 1 million troops during the course of the program by dedicated volunteers who greet troops daily.  I had the privilege of attending the one millionth warrior ceremony at DFW and let’s just say that there wasn’t a dry eye in the place. 

“If you want to experience the best America has to offer – respect for freedom, gratitude for service and sacrifice and a deep, deep love of country - just head on down to Terminal D or Terminal B depending on the day.  You’ll witness the show of support from volunteers from  across North Texas and the unbridled joy and emotional high of a family embracing a returning warrior.  Cheerful and faithful patriots of all ages and stages wearing their finest red, white and blue attire show up so that they can let complete strangers who dedicate their lives to our armed forces know that we love them, we care about them, we pray for them and we appreciate them. 

“You’ll see humble veterans from wars gone by who know that freedom is not free.  You’ll meet Vietnam veteran Bert Brady who makes a point of ensuring that this generation of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines returns with honor and a warm welcome – unlike the men who came home from Vietnam.  You’ll feel a sweet embrace from the ‘huggin’ and kissin’ grandmas’ who make it a habit of planting a big one on digi-cammie clad warriors.  Each volunteer offers a sweet smile, a love of country and respect for service that truly welcomes home our troops with the way they deserve to be treated. 

“As a combat veteran who witnessed the ultimate low for returning warriors from Vietnam, I made a promise to myself that when, not if, I escaped my captivity in Vietnam, I would do anything and everything in my power to treat our men and women of the United States Armed Forces with the respect and honor that they deserve.  “Welcome Home a Hero” is a shining example of that golden homecoming and showcases how much North Texans – and Americans – support our troops. 

“If people across America find themselves travelling through DFW, I encourage them to call the R&R update line 972-574-0392 to learn of the next arrival ceremony and to see if they may participate in a truly heartwarming and uplifting welcome home celebration for our armed forces.  They also may go to www.dfwairport.com/heroes.

“On this day, I respectfully request that the United States House of Representatives reaffirms our unwavering commitment to actively promote and support the “Welcome Home a Hero Program” and its invaluable importance to the morale and welfare of those men and women who serve our country.  Make no mistake -- America remains the land of the free because of the brave.  God bless America.”