Base event provides creative opportunity to welcome troops home from deployment Published July 2, 2008 By Chris McGee 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- A unique one-of-a-kind opportunity to welcome home troops who have returned from deployment will unfold again as part of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base's "Heroes Welcoming Heroes" event July 10 at 6 p.m. at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Offered three times a year, Heroes Welcoming Heroes is the only program of its kind in the Air Force, providing an organized opportunity for individuals to show their appreciation to the troops and their families for their service and sacrifice during deployment. The event is a collaborative effort among the base's Integrated Delivery Service, military members and community partners. It began in October 2005, with total participants exceeding 3,000. The IDS team seeks to provide a successful reunion and reintegration experience for the troops returning from deployment. "Heroes Welcoming Heroes is a family-friendly evening of food, fun, door prizes, music, IDS resources and fellowship," said Jennifer Spurgin, chief of Family Member Programs with the 88 Mission Support Group. "The community involvement is phenomenal; local businesses donate food, door prizes and funding to support the program." Previous events have featured a Purple Heart recipient being recognized and children sharing poems and statements about what it means to be a military child. The children present their parents with medals. Other features have included clowns creating balloon figures, music by the Air Force Band of Flight and a slide show for the troops. Troops who have returned from deployment recently and their families are invited to attend.