Heroes Welcoming Heroes: Community and Wright-Patt thank recent deployers

  • Published
  • By Amy Rollins
  • Skywrighter Staff
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  A lighthearted, fun-filled and family-friendly evening held Nov. 5 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, was enjoyable for everyone present, but also had a very specific message to deliver: Welcome home, deployers.

Military service members who returned home from deployment from October 2014 through October 2015 and their families were feted during the annual "Heroes Welcoming Heroes" event and treated to family-oriented activities, fellowship, food, fun and games.

Wright-Patterson AFB is a key expeditionary platform, deploying Airmen around the world at any given time, supporting the warfighter and humanitarian missions.

"Having been deployed myself, I and the entire base and community want to say thanks to these deployers," said Col. John Devillier, 88th Air Base Wing commander. "We could not do what we do in the United States Air Force without their service and the service of their families. Anytime you have the opportunity to say 'thank you' to somebody, you should take it."

The colonel added that saying thanks should not be a one-time occurrence, but a continuous one that involves the deployer's commander when he or she arrives home, his or her co-workers and the community.

"This event involves more than just Wright-Patterson AFB," Devillier said. "There are community leaders and members here, plus many community organizations saying 'thank you' to our military members."

Master Sgt. Christina Dodson, family readiness SNCO, Airman and Family Readiness Center, acknowledged the many sponsors who contributed food and door prizes. The event also included patriotic decorations, live music, appearances by Heater and Gem from the Dayton Dragons baseball team, and face painting.

Also in attendance were representatives from various agencies such as the American Red Cross; Family Advocacy; Mental Health Clinic and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program, 88th Medical Group; Blue Star Mothers of America; the base Youth Program; Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program; and the Defense Commissary Agency.

"This event is a way for deployers to reintegrate back into society and celebrate the sacrifices they have made," Dodson said.

Capt. Jeremiah Marquez, OIC, Supply Chain Management Branch, Logistics, Air Force Materiel Command, returned in April from an eight-month deployment. He discussed the bonds between military members and how they were doing a mission that matters and is worthwhile. He said coming home has been incredible and that he can't get enough of his young son, Christian, and his wife, Jillian, who is a former Air Force service member.

"It's hard to leave your family, but when they have the support of the Air Force community and the community as a whole, it makes it a lot easier," Marquez said.

He was particularly appreciative of the many events sponsored by the Airman and Family Readiness Center that kept his family members busy during his deployment, and the lawn care and emergency management support they had from living on base, he said.

He was looking forward during the event to seeing a fellow deployer from his overseas unit; the two often checked on each other's welfare and that of other deployers they met, exemplifying the wingman concept.

"We know that because we wear this uniform ... we have a basis of communication and a relationship. That's something we understand as uniformed service members," Marquez commented.

"I'm excited for everyone who is home," Jillian Marquez said. "We're overwhelmingly happy for every husband and wife whose spouse is safe and home."

During the event, Marine Capt. Anthony Suh, an environmental engineering student at the Air Force Institute of Technology, brought his wife, Sylvia, daughter Evelyn and sons Elijah and Emmett. They appreciated the attention of a pair of dogs, Renn and Bailey, from the Miami Valley Pet Therapy Association. Suh, who was deployed as a logistics officer, said the family was enjoying the event.

The Heroes Welcoming Heroes program began in October 2008 and has recognized more than 6,000 participants. It is planned and coordinated by Department of Defense civilians and military, and community partners who wish to demonstrate their support for military members and their families.