In 1991, local veterans and other volunteers who believed that a successful integration into civilian life begins with a successful homecoming experience founded Operation Welcome Home (OWH).

Subsequent to the Persian Gulf War, once the majority of servicemen and women returned home, this volunteer-based organization became inactive. However, in response to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, some founding volunteers, recognizing how vital the homecoming experience is for those who serve during wartime, decided to reactivate OWH.

In 2003, OWH became a project of the Veterans Outreach Center, and is now part of the singular service coordination system pioneered by the VOC to help veterans make sense of postwar life and work toward self-sufficiency.

Operation Welcome Home’s volunteers greet and thank returning servicemen and women and present them with a service commendation from the community, a commemorative pin, and literature detailing the VOC’s programs and services.

VVA Chapter #20’s board and its members are active volunteers supporting the projects goals and objectives.

Since Operation Welcome Home’s inception Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #20 has donated $4,000.00 to support the home coming of our troops.

To volunteer or learn more about OWH, visit the Web site at http://www.operationwelcomehome.org or call the Veterans Outreach Center at 546-1081.