Greetings For Our Heroes
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Operation Welcome You Home
Messages to OWYH |
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Thank you. God bless you for what you are doing to show our young
men and women how much we appreciate them. I feel so incredibly
grateful for being informed about your group. My daughter, Kalina,
and I have been greatly touched by each and every homecoming we have
been able to attend. Unfortunately there may never be another time
that all of our military are on U.S. soil. It will always be important
that "we" are here for them. Many blessings to you and all those
involved with OWYH.
Sharon O'Brien |
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Feature Story In Glancer Magazine, November 2020 Issue
CONGRATULATIONS!! Very exciting article
Semper Fi!!!👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Great article!! Hope some people read it, and work to help you in ALL that you do!
- Bob
Wonderful article depicting all of your generosity and commitment. The world is a better place with you in it.
Thank you for all that you and your organization do.
I am honored to know you.
- Sincerely,
Colleen A
Bravo
👏🏼
🇺🇸❤️Love to you With joy and gratitude, Tammy M Great
article. Thank you for all you do for our veterans. - Celia
Very nice! Cograts! - John T Donna, Judi, Congratulations on this article . Job well done all year round. Have a Blessed Thanksgiving, and a Blessed Merry Christmas. Stay safe.
- Kevin, Kathy F What a great story! This is a testament to the great work that you and your organization do!!
- Peggy C Hi Donna!
Really enjoyed reading the article about OWYH. I know your heart is in everything you do and many families and the community have wonderful memories associated with OWYH. The expanse of your giving is so wide and generous. There are few of us that can live up to this kind of legacy. This magazine picked just the right person and organization to epitomize the virtues of love, generosity and respect, not only to veterans and their families, but to the whole community. Congratulations!
With much admiration, Alba
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Thank you, all of you so much for your help this morning in Honoring WWII Veteran Donald Breen for his 100th birthday! Mr. Breen and his family were very overjoyed with emotion and so thankful for your participation in the parade! We at The Timbers were overwhelmed with the amount of support that we received to help us honor him! We really appreciate you! Thank you again for all of your help !!! |
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That was awesome earlier! I don’t know how you got such a huge turnout on such a bad climate day but it was a great event. I hope it was everything Mister Breen could have imagined. Thanks for getting the word out!
Brian S |
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2020 Heart Of A Gold Recipient
Congratulations Donna and Jim! You are very deserving of any
award. You do a great job I appreciate it as to so many others. You
have done so much for us personally.
Thank you, and congratulations, Doug and Terry
Congratulations!! JudyB
I am so happy for you, your hard work should be rewarded more often. Thanks for all you do. Don C
Congrats. You deserve, Ric C
You are very deserving of this! Jerry C
Congratulations Donna. You deserve more than an award for all you do for our vets & their families. May God bless you Celia J
Congratulations on such a prestigious and well deserved honor. Patty M
Congratulations Donna! A well deserved award! Sandy N
Congratulations! This is a great honor and very well deserved Colleen A
CONGRATULATIONS
🎉🍾🎈🎊 Nobody deserves it more than you!!😷😎
You and your team are to be commended!! Semper Fi, Alan S
Congratulations - Well deserved! Pat Z
You are so awesome, my friend!! Did you ever believe that your dream would explode like this?? I am so very proud of you and Judi and Jim and all the work you have put into this. Way to go!! Kathy M
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Many of us Vietnam Veterans have benefited from your help and support and we can’t thank you enough!
Semper Fi...
Alan S
USMC
Vietnam
65-66👍us
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I
can’t tell you how much your thoughtfulness means to me. Such a
lovely surprise!!! Thank you, thank you, thank You!!!
🥰❤️💜💚💙💛🧡🥰
Can’t thank you enough. Your thoughtfulness brings tears to my eyes.
George & Joan
Oct 2020 |
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Dear Donna,
Please convey our heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved for the wonderful welcome home for Ricky Flores and the remembrance of our son, SSgt. Domenic Andreoni, USMC.
You and your organization are commendable for the outstanding work and dedication to our heroes, those who return and those who give the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Our world is a better place because of you and others like you. My husband, daughter, and granddaughter were touched by your consideration, compassion and recognition of our son, her brother and her father.
We will remember last Saturday always.
Again, thank you from our hearts.
Colleen Andreoni
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Donna, I just wanted to touch base one more time to express my gratitude and appreciation for everything you did organizing the 50th anniversary drive by for the Trevillians last Saturday. I honestly was expecting 3 motorcycles to be there and was absolutely blown away by all the bikes, fire trucks and police in attendance. Thank you so much for everything you do.
Mike Mural
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Hey Donna here's a comment I got from Tim Arbulu about yesterdays mission.
Thank you all for the beautiful reception and Welcome Home procession. You and your team along with the Welcome Home Heroes folks made my family and I feel proud to be Americans who have answered the call to serve and were honored to do so. Om behalf of my fellow veterans and the Gold star Families of the Fallen, thank you for YOUR continuing service to our communities and our Nation. Semper Fortis!
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Donna, Just a short note to thank you for your help in coordinating with my daughter, Michelle Gliniewicz, for the Birthday Parade on Fri. May 8. The event was a surprise and totally unexpected. I really appreciate your time and work in making this event happen. Now the whole neighborhood knows how old I am! Thanks again. It was fun. Have a good summer and stay safe.
Best, Don Huston
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No special reason for sending this note other than to say "THANK YOU" for the personal sacrifices you have made for our country. Without your commitment, there would be turmoil and a lack of freedom. Because of you, we are able to live freely, each and every day, in this great United States of America. God Bless!
Kim Reese |
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Thanks for
doing what you do, and to hoping we get all these folks home soon.
Scott Kohler |
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I gave my
kids a great gift last night. Thanks for allowing us to participate.
(WH for USMC Shawn Downing)
Kerri Osmond |
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I want to
Thank each and everyone for service to OUR country. I am really
proud of each one of you. I pray for your safe return.
Welcome Home Heroes Task
Force
Phyllis Bloodworth |
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Donna,
Thank you so much for putting together Robert's Welcome Home. It
was more than we ever expected. You are all great. Judy did a great
job taking pictures! Everyone who was there commented on how nice it
was. Once Robert was over being shocked, he had a great time.
Looking forward to seeing you at more events!
Cheryl and Bob Border |
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Donna,
I just wanted to say thank you again to you and your wonderful
team of people. I was truly amazed at the number of people who gave
up their Saturday evening to come out for our family. I would also
like to thank the Naperville Police and Fire Departments for their
support and help.
The staff at Tommy Nevins, especially Kristy, will be thanked
every time we go in there. That is a given.
You really give so much of yourself to make sure our soldiers
have a a warm welcome. This is to let you know that you are very
much appreciated. Thank everyone again for me.
Lorry Krawiec |
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Welcome Home
USMC Brian Stamm 090812
I wanted to take a moment and say than you once again. That was
an absolutely awesome experience. I was awe struck myself with the
turnout and support that showed up. I cannot thank u enough for all
that u do to organize such and event, not to mention 3 in one day.
That is heroic in it own right.
Thanks Again,
Kris |
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Welcome Home
090212 Troy Clayton
We wanted to thank you for the amazing Welcome Home Event given
for Troy Clayton on Labor Day weekend. It was truly spectacular and
a day we will always remember and cherish. Friends, family members,
and neighbors enjoyed the display as well. From the howling of the
sirens and Harleys, to the presentations at our home, it was truly
amazing and heartwarming. People coming together, many whom we did
not know, to honor our service to the military these past 6 years,
is such an incredible display of patriotism and pride in our
country. It is proof that we really do live in the best country in
the world.
It seems there is never enough time in the day to get everything
done and the use of your free time to honor veterans like this is
very much appreciated. If you can, please pass along our thanks to
the other members of your organization and participants in the
event. We will remember this for the rest of our lives.
Thank You & God Bless You,
Denise & Troy Clayton |
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Thank you for
all you do and the entire Operation Welcome You Home team. My son,
Kevin, recently returned from a tour in Afghanistan and is stationed
at 29 Palms in California. He plans to be home for the holidays and
I'm very happy that he is home and safe.
I just read about USMC Kyle Moser and am so moved by him and his
story. What a wonderful young man. So proud of him and the courage
he has. The smile on his face is priceless in his action trackchair.
Thanks for doing what you do. You're a remarkable group of people
and I am so appreciative to participate in the welcome homes that
your team arranges with care and thoughtfulness.
God Bless
Susan McSorley |
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Donna
Your stories below have touched us deeply, especially since we
have family serving in the military. We have been on several OWYH
rides and will continue to support your organization.
Thanks so much for you devotion to bring this information to us.
Sue and Tom Pankow |
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092812
Welcome Home USMC Paul Gillig
Thank you very much Donna!! Paul's Welcome Home was way over the
top. Please share my thanks with all of those that made my son's
coming home celebration a very special one.
Sincerely,
P. Daniel Gillig |
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11/25/12
Welcome Home Matthew Grabow
Just wanted to thank you and everyone else for such a great home
coming for Matt! What a wonderful organization you have started. I
was speechless and so touched by this.
Linda Treadway, Mom |
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God bless
your never wavering commitment to bring these young people home.
Ironically, I watched the DVD last night of the day you brought
our son Jeff home after a year in Afghanistan.
We'll never forget it.
Sincerely,
Scott Kohler |
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Saying thank
you does not seem to cover it. You and all of your volunteers are
amazing people. You made Aaron so happy and for that I can't thank
you enough. Everyone at the motorcade said it was something they
will never forget. Please tell everyone how much it meant to our
whole family. THANK YOU, ALL OF YOU.
The Mateski Family
March 16, 2013 Welcome Home |
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Hi Donna,
Mike and I and Mark want to thank you for the awesome day
Saturday. You and your group put together an amazing welcome home
for Mark. All that were there were in awe of the dedication and
passion felt from you all. What an amazing group. Mark was deeply
moved as were the other vets who were acknowledged and thanked. You
are amazing in your passion and your generosity with your time, as I
know you also have a job along with overseeing Operation Welcome You
Home. I hope to meet up with you again.
Sincerest thanks,
The Dellorto Family
WH June 15, 2013 USMC Mark Dellorto |
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Donna, Mary
and I wanted to thank you again for this past Sunday. It really was
relaxing and we enjoyed the company. While each of us have endured
or are enduring completely different circumstances, we are all still
drawn together through a common bond, our children/family members
whose lives have been forever changed. Through this, new friendships
may form and for this we are so grateful. Thanks again and we will
both be there Saturday for the walk.
Bob P |
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WH July 14,
2013 US Coast Guard Emily Kohl
Donna,
On behalf of Emily, Donna, and myself, I would like to give you
our profound thanks for the Welcome Home last Sunday. We will
remember it for the rest of our lives. Emily is off to her new
billet now. We wish you and those with whom you work the very best!
Terry Kohl |
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Event - USMC
Kyle & Shantay Hester Thank you so much Donna for the huge
outpouring of love yesterday. There wasn't a dry eye to be
found. Kyle and Tay were overcome with emotion... shocked to
see how many people came out to support and thank them. I have
never seen Kyle speechless before... until yesterday!
Many of our uncles and cousins had served in Korea and Vietnam
and they were overcome with emotion. Thank you so very much!
Vickie Hanson & Family |
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Fallen Hero
USMC Brand Meyers July 2013
We want to thank everyone from the bottom of our heart for
everything ...everyone for what they did for our son Brandon.
God bless Wendy and David Meyers |
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Welcome Home
US Army Brian Booth September 7, 2013
Thank you so much for your work organizing my son Brian's welcome
home. It was way more than I expected it to be and I know Brian will
remember that his whole life. Seeing the smiles on Brian's face
meant a lot to me as well, as he came to see what serving the
country means to a lot of people. I have just donated $150 to your
organization hoping that in some small way it can go towards helping
some member of the military that may be less fortunate than Brian.
I am looking forward to the pictures being posted, and again
thank you and all your support staff for putting Brian's welcome on.
Charles Booth |
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Hi Judi,
I want thank you and Donna and all those who put so much time and
thought into making Operation Welcome You Home such an encouragement
to the veterans. Everyone I met from OWYH was so warm and friendly
truly a caring group of people who can pass on thoughtful care to
honor these brave veterans. What a valuable service Operation
Welcome You Home is!
I was so happy to help on Saturday and just regret that I wasn't
able to stay and assist the blind men. This was truly an amazing
experience for me! Thank you again for giving me this great
privilege.
Gratefully,
Marnie |
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Judi Your
generosity amazes me and overwhelms me. I feel blessed to have ran
into you and the organization that U represent at the post office
last year. I promise to pay forward all of your generosity to others
that cross my path in need. You guys are truly a gift from God.
Thanks to all of you.
Proud Marine Dad Greg |
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Thank you to
the greatest military in the world. Phyllis Bloodworth |
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Thank you for
service and God bless you all! And god bless America!
From Kimberly & Jerry Silhan
We will say a prayer for you all and your Families |
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Welcome Home
US Army Thomas Johnson October 26, 2014
Words cannot describe how grateful and appreciative we are for
all you did to Welcome Tommy Home this past Sunday. It was beyond
belief and overwhelming the number of people that came out and gave
him a hero's welcome. This is a once in a lifetime experience and
something we all will never forget. I simply never imagined
something so wonderful and uplifting every time I think about it a
tear comes to my eye. Once again Than You from the bottom of my
heart, you all are the Heroes!
Best Regards,
Nancy Johnson
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Dear Donna,
A much belated thank you for all your hard work in putting Tony
Simone's party together. I've attended a few of these. They've been
great, but this one was special. I know it was appreciated by all.
Enjoy this beautiful weather.
Paula Boley(Tony's mother-in-law) |
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Christmas at
Hines--2013
Hi Donna,
I want to thank you for the opportunity to spend the day with you
and your group last Saturday at Hines hospital. It was an amazing
day and I was truly blessed and felt privileged to be a part of it.
I love what you do!
I was amazed at the variety of gift items you had to hand out to
the vets; but I was also touched by the opportunities to connect
personally with them. Few things delight me more than being able to
reach out to a veteran who is struggling in some way. We know our
Kevin is at peace and safely Home with the Lord Jesus in heaven -
but these veterans still have battles to face.
Thank you for your organization and all that you do. And thank
you to your husband as well, and your daughter Judy who so valiantly
"lead the charge ", and yet was watchful and considerate to make
sure everyone had a chance to participate.
We owe all our veterans so much, and it felt very gratifying to
me to spend the day with people who truly appreciate them;
expressing gratitude, not only with words, but with actions!
It was a great day for me, and Phil and I both look forward to
future opportunities to participate with OWYH.
God bless you and all you do,
Cathy Clarke |
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AWESOME job!
Thanks for all the work you did in 2014 and continue to do for
our Veterans! Its appreciated! Wishing you and your organization a
fabulous 2015!
Kristen Jungles |
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Fallen Hero
USMC Brandon Meyers July 2013 We want to thank everyone from the
bottom of our heart for everything ...everyone for what they did for
our son Brandon.
God bless
Wendy and David Meyers |
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Donna, You
are a role model and provide a great service to our community.
Regards,
Lee Christopher
Community Relations |
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Thank you sir
for your commitment to our country. Thank you for giving me and my
family freedom and safety through you and all the men and women who
serve. Stay safe. Sincerely,
Cheryl Megan Joseph Jr Hartley Smerz and
Anthony Eno and family. |
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