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Operation "Welcome Home" Project

Operation "Welcome Home" is a special project of Greater Washington Chapter 353 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH). It started in April 2004 and was prompted, in part, by a phone call from the MOPH Past National Commander Al Silvano when he asked if Chapter 353 Patriots and members of the Ladies' Auxiliary could visit a new Purple Heart recipient recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC.

Many military service members wounded and injured in the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in Iraq returned to the United States for medical treatment and rehabilitation. From April 2004 through September 2011, we visited and supported them and their families at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) in Washington, DC, and National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) in Bethesda, Maryland.

For over three years, our Operation "Welcome Home" Project team greeted and supported returning wounded and injured OIF/OEF troops at the 79th Aeromedical Staging Flight (ASF) at Malcolm Grow Medical Center (MGMC) at Andrews Air Force Base (AAFB) in Maryland. Their flights arrived at least three times per week at various hours of the day and night, and under all weather conditions. We were always there to welcome our wounded and injured OIF/OEF warriors home with thanks from all grateful Americans. We provided useful information for them and their families, donated and delivered always-need supplies, and hosted holiday and other special occasion parties for OIF/OEF warriors, staff of the 79th ASF, and military liaisons. In mid-June 2007, MGMC changed its policy and discontinued regular visits to the 79th ASF for all volunteers who were not affiliated with the local chapter of the American Red Cross.

When military service members wounded and injured in the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan and Operation New Dawn (OND) in Iraq return to the United States for medical treatment and rehabilitation, we continue to visit and support them and their families at the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda, Maryland. We also visit and assist all generations of veterans and their families at the VA Medical Center (DCVAMC) in Washington, DC.

Whenever we meet or visit our wounded and injured OEF and OIF/OND warriors, we welcome them home. We thank all military service members and veterans for protecting our freedom and share information about benefits and support available to them and their families from various sources. Since April 2004, we have greeted and provided immediate and follow-up assistance to over 40,470 Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard military service members, veterans, and their families.

Our heartfelt thank you goes to members of the MOPH Ladies' Auxiliary, MOPH Departments, Chapters, and members, MOPH Service Foundation, other veterans organizations, community groups, companies, and individuals. Our Operation "Welcome Home" would hardly be such a successful effort without your support and donations.