[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9651]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      SALUTING WELCOME HOME A HERO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2011

  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. 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 
Warrior'' 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 traveling 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.

                          ____________________