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Last winter, The American Legion’s Department of Oklahoma led a massive effort to bring nearly 2,000 National Guardsmen home for the holidays. “Operation Holiday Homecoming” required 42 buses and more than $400,000 in contributions. By all accounts, the event was a phenomenal success.
Funds left over from the drive were used to provide meals, camp opportunities for deployed soldiers’ children, auto repairs and other needs. “We have not turned away one family in need,” said David Kellerman, Oklahoma department adjutant.
This year, the Department of Oklahoma is back at it, and this time the program is simply called “Operation Homecoming.” The Fires Brigade – an extension of the 45th Division Oklahoma Army National Guard – will enjoy six days of leave at the end of October before deploying to Iraq.
The department is trying to raise about $150,000 to rent 20 or more buses to transport the troops from Fort Hood, Texas, (where they’ve been training) to their families in Oklahoma before deployment, as well as food and drinks for the brigade.
Kellerman said about 500 Guardsmen will be picked up at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 22 and returned Oct. 28. The buses will drop off Guardsman at five different locations in Oklahoma: Altus, Lawton, Weatherford, Eden and Oklahoma City.
Any money left over from the drive will be used to support Guard families during the year, Kellerman said.
Reprinted from The American Legion Online Update. To subscribe to The American Legion Online Update, click here.
