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The Mayor and City Council will honor Maricopa's Armed Services members returning home as part of Operation Welcome Home.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
Operation Welcome Home is a program to honor members of the military returning home to Maricopa by acknowledging their service to the country through a presentation by the City Council during our Council meetings on a quarterly basis.
Operation Welcome Home is a program championed by Councilmember Julia Gusse who believes that Maricopa needs to seek out returning veterans to honor and support them as they return to Maricopa. As Councilmember Gusse stated, "We need to give back to those who have sacrificed for us."
The City, in conjunction with Maricopa veteran's organizations, will seek out military family members and loved ones of returning members of the armed forces, who would like to have returning service members included in the "Operation Welcome Home" program. Requests would be reviewed by members of our local veterans groups, who would then communicate with the service members and family members/friends, who will serve as the sponsor(s). Local volunteer veterans will also coordinate the attendance at the event. At each event the honoree(s) will be introduced by their sponsor(s), and a Certificate of Appreciation will be read by the Mayor and presented to each recipient. Each returning service member's full name and rank will be added to a plaque that will be displayed in City Hall. Honorees will not be required to speak as part of the ceremony.
The residents of Maricopa have a rich history of military service. It is the City's desire to recognize and honor Maricopa service members and veterans for their sacrifices to our nation.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Mayor and City Council hear the presentation and honor Maricopa's Armed Services members returning home as part of Operation Welcome Home.