TITLE
The Mayor and City Council shall hear the Maricopa Operation Welcome Home presentation.
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 the Council meetings on a quarterly basis.
Operation Welcome Home was initiated by Councilwoman Julia Gusse who believes our community needs to honor and support returning veterans as they return to Maricopa. Councilwoman Gusse stated, "We need to give back to those who have sacrificed for us."
The City, in conjunction with Maricopa veteran's organizations, partner to seek out members of the armed forces, who are returning service members who live in Maricopa to be included in our "Operation Welcome Home" event. Local volunteer veterans help coordinate the attendance at the event. At each event the honoree(s) will be introduced by a sponsor and a Certificate of Appreciation will be read by the Mayor and presented to each recipient. Then the honoree(s) are presented with items from our local veterans groups. 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.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
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.