Friends of the Forces- did you know that hundreds of our Sailors, Airmen, Soldiers and Marines return from the War on Terror every week through the gates of the Baltimore/ Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport? Since March 2007, Operation Welcome Home volunteers have greeted over 700 flights and more than 150,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guard service members.  We invite you to come on out and help us welcome them home especially during this holiday season!

Volunteers help decorate the lobby with patriotic signs and banners, and package “goodie bags” for the troops, many of whom are hungry, thirsty, and tired from their travels and will be waiting on a connecting flight.  When the troops arrive through the doors of the International Arrival terminal, we shower them with praise, cheering them on, hugging them, offering them a “goodie bag,” and thanking them for their service. Here are the dates and details:

Wed Dec 21 9:45 pm arrive at 9:45 pm

Thurs Dec 22 5:15 pm arrive at 5:15 pm

Wed Dec 28 1:30 pm arrive at 1:30 pm

Thurs Dec 29 5:15 arrive at 5:15 pm

Fri Dec 30 arrive at 3:45 pm
1. All of our events occur in the International terminal (Pier E) of the BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. Park anywhere in the Hourly Garage at the airport. Once inside the airport, turn left and walk towards the International Terminal (pier E.) Meet on the lower lobby of that terminal.

2. Please note that the times provided are when the volunteers should arrive at the airport and NOT actual flight arrival times. Extra time is built in to decorate the lobby and make goodie bags. Volunteers are encouraged to help with these preparations before the soldiers arrive through Customs.

3.  Please do not assemble goodie bags prior to coming to the airport. We assemble them as a team before the soldiers arrive, but please do consider bringing handmade “thank you” cards from your family, friends, co-workers, child’s school, church, or other community organization. In or on the card, a simple verse is good. Suggestions: Thank you for your service, Welcome Home, We appreciate your heroism, You Rock, Thank you for keeping us safe, Thank you for being there, Glad you are home, or God Bless America and You.Embellishments of stars, hearts, flags, balloons, or any fun thing you want to put on the cards are great. Some folks use stickers, sponge stars, anything they have on hand. Either bring the cards to one of our events, or mail to this address –> OWHMD Card Donations, 6123 Oak Hill Dr., Sykesville, MD 21784

1. On the day you plan to attend, PLEASE call the hotline before you leave home or work to verify that the event is still on, and on-time. 410-630-1555
2. Wear something patriotic and feel free to bring signs welcoming them home and thanking them for their service.