DFW International Airport Board of Directors Honors Volunteers Who Greet Daily U.S. Military Flights

(DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – February 1, 2007) – Amid a thunderous standing ovation, more than thirty “Welcome Home a Hero” volunteers clad in military service hats, ribbons and buttons were honored today by the DFW International Airport Board of Directors for their longstanding commitment to greet troops returning on the daily U.S. Military rest and recuperation flight. 

“These volunteers give their time, their heart and their soul to our “Welcome Home a Hero” program and their presence is felt in North Texas and around the world, “ says Jan Collmer, Chairman of the DFW International Airport Board of Directors. “We regularly receive emails and letters from members of the military and their families whose hearts were touched by the homecoming these amazing people give to our men and women in uniform. The Board wanted to honor and recognize our neighbors who are making a difference.”  

The two­and­a­half­year­old “Welcome Home a Hero” program has now greeted more than 160,000 troops arriving home from the Middle East. Almost three­dozen volunteers make the daily trip to DFW to greet the troops, and have done so since flights began in June 2004. 

“DFW is very proud of this program and the teamwork necessary to recruit and organize volunteers from the USO and the North Texas Commission,” said Jeff Fegan, CEO of DFW. “We appreciate and applaud everyone who can come out to assist – individuals, business groups and community organizations. It is truly a experience that you will not forget.” 

Volunteers include a retired Marine nurse, members of the VFW Roanoke Chapter and a mother of a soldier who has served in the Middle East. 

The dedicated group of volunteers immediately following their 8:30 a.m. recognition returned to International Terminal D to greet the 120 troops arriving home on the 9:30 a.m. R&R flight.

To volunteer your business or organization to greet flights at DFW, please contact the North Texas Commission at (972) 621­0400 or email heroes@dfwairport.com. More information on the “Welcome Home a Hero” program is also available on DFW's Web site: www.dfwairport.com/heroes.

The volunteers are list below: Virgil Aldag Jerry Anderson Henry Bently Burt Brady Cynthia Burks Connie Carmen Joe Chapman John Cheney Donna Cranston Kevin & Laurie Flynn Wayne & Cynthia Foster Randy Grizzel Chuck Lechner Alan Lessard Dennis Lux Betty Martinez Melody Massey Lulu Mesa Jane Moore Tony Moreno Don & Greta Noble Diane Ratley Linda Robinson Sharon Russell Jean Sanders Dean & Candy Struck Linda Tinnerman Wayne Trevathan Jimmy Van Steve Wheeler Joan Wright Rick Muniz