Operation Handshake - WKTV Journal

The military and veteran “Welcome Home” celebration of Operation Handshake at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport this holiday season. (GR Ford Airport)

By WKTV Staff

Active military members and veterans will receive a patriotic welcome home on Nov. 24 with the return of Operation Handshake at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, an event which includes patriotic activities and a new “Thank You Letter” effort.

In its sixth year, the daylong event will feature veterans groups lining the concourse exits of the airport to greet and thank military members and veterans returning to West Michigan, according to an announcement from the Ford Airport. Members of the Patriot Guard Riders and Blue Star Mothers will be present from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. to greet the honored travelers while waving American flags, offering words of thanks and singing patriotic songs.

“The Ford Airport is proud to welcome our troops and veterans back home,” Lisa Carr, public safety and operations director for the Ford Airport, said in supplied material. “It is important we recognize our service members for all that they do – and have done – for our country. As a huge supporter of active and retired military, I am especially proud of our participation in Operation Handshake.”

Operation Handshake is free and open to the public. Per federal requirements, masks must be worn at all times by airport guests ages 2 and older.

Families of military members and veterans traveling through Ford Airport on Nov. 24 are encouraged to participate in Operation Handshake and to provide flight information to Patriot Guard Riders, including arrival time. Information may be provided to Phil Pakiela via email at papapakiela@gmail.com or by phone at 616-916-3064.

“It is hard to put into words how much it means to see the expression on a veteran’s face as they are greeted by a flag line and rendered a salute in their honor,” Pakiela, captain of the Patriot Guard Riders of West Michigan, said in supplied material. “So many of them have been forgotten – we don’t ever want that to happen again. We want our active-duty military and veterans as well as their families to know they are appreciated.”

New this year is Operation Gratitude, a “thank you” letter campaign that encourages airport tenants and guests to share their appreciation for deployed troops, veterans, wounded heroes, caregivers, and recruits. The airport is providing note cards to tenants this month, “collecting the messages of gratitude and delivering them to active military personnel,” according to the announcement.

Guests at the Airport on Nov. 24 will have the opportunity to write notes of thanks and drop them in a box located in the Amway Grand Hall.

“We invite Airport guests to take a moment to join us in honoring our military heroes during this season of gratitude,” Carr said.

For more information on the Ford Airport visit flyford.org.

A welcome home for West Michigan troops and other festivities are on tap for the Thanksgiving holiday, and one of the busiest days of the year at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA).

On Wednesday, Nov. 21, airport volunteers including therapy dog teams, and the Patriot Guard Riders will participate in “Operation Handshake,” an event to welcome home returning military members and veterans, and to thank them for their service.

Volunteers will staff both airport concourses from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

“We are so appreciative of our military members’ service to our country and we know that not everyone can make it home during the holidays because they are making other sacrifices. For those returning to West Michigan we want to make it extra special and let them know we are thankful for their service,” said GFIA Marketing & Communications Director Tara Hernandez. “The Patriot Guard Riders of West Michigan do a tremendous job taking time out of their holiday week to welcome home our military, and we appreciate their loyalty to serving our community through events like Operation Handshake.”

The event is free and open to the public. The media is also encouraged to put a call out to the community, asking family members to notify the Patriot Guard Riders of returning military members’ arrival times and flight information. Information can be sent to Tony VanGessel at 616-862-1984 or tvange58@yahoo.com.

For more information on the Patriot Guard Riders, visit http://www.patriotguardmi.org

“This is what Thanksgiving is really all about,” said VanGessel, Captain of the Patriot Guard Riders of West Michigan. “What we see each year is an inspiration. We get a thank you from the military members, but it’s also heartwarming for the general traveling public around us to see what transpires.”

The Airport is currently under construction on its Gateway Transformation Project, and along with the busy holiday traffic, lines could be longer than normal. The Airport encourages passengers to arrive at least 90-120 minutes before their flight.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is expecting a record breaking number of flyers this upcoming Thanksgiving holiday travel period with more than 25 million passengers traveling through security screening checkpoints around the U.S. from Nov. 16 through Nov. 26 – an increase of five-percent from 2017.

“As Thanksgiving and the holiday travel seasons arrive, ensuring the safety and security of the millions of passengers traveling daily remains TSA’s top priority,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “We marked several records over the spring and summer travel periods this year, screening more than 525 million passengers and crew. This upcoming season will be very busy as more passengers choose to fly, and TSA officers will be on duty over the holidays so travelers can enjoy theirs.”

TSA also encourages passengers to stay up-to-date on the latest travel notices and information about what you can or cannot bring on your flight by visiting: www.tsa.gov. Additionally, travelers should keep these top three tips in mind:

Pack smart. Prepare for security when packing and ensure that there are no prohibited items in baggage. As always, passengers can bring pies, cakes and other baked goods through the checkpoints; however, liquids such as eggnog and maple syrup, and gels such as preserves and jellies, should go into checked bags. Liquids in carry-on must follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule. Download the MyTSA app or use the “What can I bring?” tool on tsa.gov. This allows you to type in an item to find out if you can bring it in your carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither.

Renew your TSA PreCheck membership. Individuals who obtained TSA PreCheck five years ago are now able to renew their TSA PreCheck membership online. Individuals who do not have TSA PreCheck should enroll now to get TSA PreCheck benefits, available at more than 200 U.S. airports, in time for their holiday travel. Travelers enrolled in a trusted traveler program, like TSA PreCheck, do not need to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets. To find the trusted traveler program that best suits your travel needs, use the DHS trusted traveler comparison tool.
Ask for passenger support. Travelers or families of passengers with disabilities and/or medical conditions may call the TSA Cares helpline toll free at 855-787-2227 at least 72 hours prior to flying with any questions about screening policies, procedures and to find out what to expect at the security checkpoint. TSA Cares also arranges assistance at the checkpoint.