Operation Welcome Home are events that allow the Town of Gilbert to demonstrate a true appreciation and provide a hero’s welcome to our veterans and their families. The goal is to set an example nationwide, and to ensure veterans understand our true appreciation for their sacrifices.

The Town invites residents to join us to recognize the valuable service and dedication military men and women provide our country. With the leadership of several individuals, veterans’ groups and elected officials, the Gilbert Town Council is establishing "Operation Welcome Home" to formally recognize individuals in our community who have served our country upon their return from active duty or graduated military academy.

Under the program, the Council honors these individuals with a Proclamation presented at a formal council meeting in appreciation of their commitment to our nation. The celebration for each returning serviceperson is a grand event. With the support of veterans’ organizations, service groups, employers, community leaders and mentors, the young men and women are reintroduced to our community and are thanked for their effort and sacrifice.

This program is modeled after one adopted in the town of Danville, California in 2004. They have honored 53 service men and women in the last six years.

If you are aware of any individual within the community who deserves to be honored, please contact Jenn Daniels at 480.205.9685 or jenn.daniels@gilbertaz.gov for more information.

Nomination Information Request Form | Honoring Veterans Article from Go Gilbert

Gilbert Mayor John Lewis stepped onto stage and accepted the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award on behalf of the Town of Gilbert during a patriotic and touching ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 22. The award is the Department of Defense's highest recognition given to employers, for exceptional support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.

The Town of Gilbert stood out among a field of 4,049 nominations submitted by Guard and Reserve service members or their families, and is only one of 15 to receive the recognition. Gilbert is the only municipality to be recognized, and is only the third Arizona organization to receive the honor.

Freedom Award recipients distinguish themselves by going to extraordinary lengths to support their military employees. The Town of Gilbert was nominated by an employee in the Army Reserve. The nominator praised the support he received while deployed to include fixing a broken water line in his home and routinely checking in on his family. Town of Gilbert employees also formed support groups and sent care packages to all deployed service members.

"To stand out among the many thousands of employers who firmly support our Citizen Warriors is a testament to the remarkable efforts of these 15 recipients," said Dennis McCarthy, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. "On behalf of the Department of Defense, I congratulate the 2011 honorees and thank them for serving as outstanding partners in our nation's defense."

About ESGR and the Freedom Award: The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of ESGR. ESGR was established in 1972 to develop and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service. ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws, and resolves conflict between service members and employers. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.

For questions or interviews regarding the Freedom Award, please visit www.FreedomAward.mil or contact Beth Sherman, ESGR Public Affairs, at 703-696-1171, ext. 539 or by email at ESGR-PA@osd.mil.

The Town of Gilbert, in partnership with the American Legion (Merrill-Mitchell Post 39) , will be holding its Seventh Annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Thursday, November 10th, 2011 on the lawn at the Gilbert Municipal Center to honor and recognize our local Veterans. The guest speaker for this year's ceremony is Captain Steven Borden, Commanding Officer of the Naval ROTC program at Arizona State University. The annual event is especially poignant this year, as the Town celebrates the receipt of the Freedom Award, a tribute of our appreciation of our service men and women where it really counts, supporting their families and maintaining their benefits and any difference in salary as they serve overseas.

Councilman John Sentz said the event is also about the families. "The families of veterans give as much to our community and our society as those who serve overseas, often going months at a time without this important family member. That is why it is so important in our Town to support our employees who are serving, and their families."

Gilbert Event

• Mesquite High School Band plays patriotic music at 11:00 AM.
• Ceremony begins at 11:30 AM and lasts for approximately 30 minutes.

Following the ceremony, a complimentary lunch will be served to all in attendance. Everyone is invited to attend and help us pay tribute to Veteran's Day, in a Town honored recently with the Freedom Award by the U.S. Department of Defense, for our support of our employee servicemen.

Gilbert veterans available for interviews; photos available upon request.

Honoring our Prisoners of War, and those Missing in Action

As part of the annual tribute, Gilbert honors those veterans who are POW or MIA, with a poignant ceremony that features an empty chair, and a candle burning with hope and undying spirit and courage. View photos of that ceremony that took place during today's Veteran's Days festivities. Submit your own photos of this event by sending us an email.