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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 or injured in the Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF) return to the United States for medical treatment and rehabilitation. We visit and support them 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 also greeted and supported returning wounded and injured OIF/OEF troops at the 79^th Aeromedical Staging Flight (ASF) at Malcolm Grow Medical Center (MGMC) at Andrews Air Force Base (AAFB) in Maryland at least three times per week. Their flights arrived 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. We provided information about benefits and assistance available to them and their families from various sources. We donated civilian clothes, prepaid phone cards, coffee, snacks, and other always-need supplies. We hosted holiday and other special occasion parties for wounded and injured OIF/OEF warriors, staff of the 79^th ASF, and military liaisons.

In mid-June 2007, MGMC changed its visiting policy, and we are no longer allowed to continue our regular visits to the 79^th ASF. Every visit and special event must be coordinated with the Medical Wing Public Affairs Office and approved by the MGMC Commander in advance. According to him and staff of the 79^th ASF, some returning troops with non-battle injuries (nbi) feel depressed and guilty when greeted by combat-wounded veterans. We understand and respect feelings of our nbi troops.

Whenever we meet or visit our wounded and injured OIF/OEF warriors, we welcome them home and share information about benefits and assistance available to them and their families from various sources. As of April 30, 2009, we have greeted and provided immediate and follow-up assistance to over 28,430 Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard military service members and their families.

Our heartfelt thank you goes to our teaming partner Greater Washington Unit 353, LAMOPH, MOPH Departments, Chapters, and members, MOPH Service Foundation, other veterans organizations, community groups, companies, and individuals. Our Operation "Welcome Home" Project would hardly be such a successful effort without your support and donations.