181st Intelligence Wing hosting salute ceremony

The 181st Intelligence Wing will hold its first Hometown Heroes Salute ceremony honoring 237 Airmen and their families in Terre Haute on Aug. 8.

The event will be held at 10 a.m. at the Air National Guard's 181st Intelligence Wing located at Hulman Field.

In August 2008, Gen. Craig R. McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau, sanctioned the Air National Guard Hometown Heroes Salute recognition program.

The purpose of this program is to celebrate and honor the significant contributions of the airmen, their families, communities, and those special supporters to the mission of the U.S. Air Force and the Air National Guard.

The Airmen recognized in this ceremony will include 181st Intelligence Wing members, some of which are now retired or no longer with the Wing, who have deployed for more than 30 consecutive days in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Noble Eagle and other peacekeeping operations across the globe from 9/11 through Dec. 31, 2008.

"The Air National Guard Hometown Heroes Salute program will recognize the outstanding contributions of our Airmen who have provided selfless service to our country since 9/11 by deploying for 30 days or more," said Col. Jeff Hauser, 181st Intelligence Wing commander. "We will also recognize the contributions of their families that served beside them."

The Airmen will receive a framed letter from General McKinley containing the Hometown Heroes Salute coin. The Airman's spouse or significant other will receive a rosewood pen and pencil set with the Hometown Heroes Salute logo engraved. The children will also receive unique Hometown Heroes Salute dog tags.

For more information, call Senior Master Sgt. John Chapman, 181st IW's Public Affairs Officer, at (812) 877-5471 no later than Aug. 6 at 4 p.m.