Operation Welcome Home!!

Post by **ZiggyZoomba** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 9:49 am

The following is from Mitch's brother... he's given the OK to post this... we're hoping Mitch won't check in while en route home... but like Matt said "I guess I would rather have a bigger turn out than the surprise, go ahead and post it, we'll hope he don't check."
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DO NOT FORWARD THIS TO MITCH OR MONICA, TRYING TO SURPRISE THEM IF POSSIBLE

*****FORWARD TO ANYONE YOU THINK IS INTERESTED****

As we all know by now, Major Mitch is coming home and will arrive in Columbus on Wednesday, November 8.

A Welcome Ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Vineyard Church of Columbus, 6000 Cooper Rd. Westerville, Ohio 43081 in Westerville at 1pm.
http://www.vineyardcolumbus.org/index.asp

We are hoping to have a big crowd there to show our appreciation, support and welcome him home.

We, (mainly Jill) have been exploring the feasibility of chartering a bus to make the trip from the Toledo area to Westerville.

Basically here was the thought:
· We pick a centralized location for the bus to pick us up, (Woodville Mall, etc.), and a designated time (0900 or whatever)
· Everyone drives to that location, leaves their vehicles and boards the bus.
· If you live somewhere south of Toledo (BG, etc) we could designate another pick up point, (Bowling Green exit off of I-&75, just an example)
· Bring your food and drinks, we all ride in the comfort and safety of a Lakefront luxury bus, we don’t worry about driving, getting lost or anything else.
· The kids can watch videos on the monitors and take a bathroom break right on the bus.
· We would of course all arrive at the Welcome Home Ceremony at the same time, (technically the people in the front of the bus get there sooner)
· The bus would take us anywhere we wanted to go after the ceremony, and then bring us back home.
· How cool would it be to show Mitch how much we missed him by unloading a bus-full of friends and family from Northwest Ohio!!
· To the wonderful Falcon Fans, we would even allow Orange to be worn on the bus, bring your flags, signs, banners, etc.

Ok, by now your thinking this is a pretty cool idea, here’s where we need help.

Obviously, next Wednesday is coming up fast and the logistics need to be worked out.

We have found a bus that will accommodate 55 people, the total price, for the whole trip is $850.

· IF we could fill the entire bus that would mean each person would pay less than $16!! That’s less than the gas to drive part way there.
· I think 55 people is a rather optimistic number, the more people we can get to go, the less it would cost.
· If 30 people go the cost is $28 per person. I think that would be the low cut off number.

In other words, if we don’t get 30 people signed up, we don’t do the bus trip.

We have not committed to anything yet, I am trying to see if there is any interest in this.

· Maybe, you want to support this but can’t actually make the trip? We would take your generous donation to lower the cost and make it more practical for others to go.
· Perhaps your business or organization, who wants to help out, let me know.

We need to act fast, E-mail or call me by 1:00 pm Friday (tomorrow) and let me know if you are interested (at the $28 per person price).

I’ll keep everyone posted and let you know if it’s a GO.

Matt Gargac
419.270.5337 Leave message if I don’t answer

Dayons_Den · Post by **Dayons_Den** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:07 am

I wonder if there is any way to get some one to 'sponsor' this bus trip as it would be an excellent goodwill gesture that certainly should be covered by local media outlets. . . . .

Maybe Fred E. or Frieda Falcon could make the trip as well? Or Snakeman?

Jacobs4Heisman · Post by **Jacobs4Heisman** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:12 am

Dayons_Den wrote: Or Snakeman?

As long as he's not driving.

This is a cool idea. All our troops deserve something like this as they come home.

SaxyIrishTenor · Post by **SaxyIrishTenor** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:23 am

Jacobs4Heisman wrote:
Dayons_Den wrote: Or Snakeman?

As long as he's not driving.

This is a cool idea. All our troops deserve something like this as they come home.

I can't make it, but I'd be willing to donate a few bucks to keep the cost of the bus lower for those who can go.

Post by **ZiggyZoomba** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:29 am

Dayons_Den wrote:I wonder if there is any way to get some one to 'sponsor' this bus trip as it would be an excellent goodwill gesture that certainly should be covered by local media outlets. . . . .

Maybe Fred E. or Frieda Falcon could make the trip as well? Or Snakeman?

I can't go... but am "sponsoring" a small portion of the trip.... Wish I could do more. Snakeman though... now THERE's an idea!

Falconfreak90 · Post by **Falconfreak90** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 11:43 am

I can't make it either!!!!

We should have a "Welcome Home" theme at the Miami game.

always a falcon · Post by **always a falcon** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 1:28 pm

If Mitch truly is at the game, we should get them to honor him in between quarters or at the least have them announce it. Grant, is that you there with your hand up? Or were you pointing at me?

Post by **ZiggyZoomba** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 1:31 pm

always a falcon wrote:If Mitch truly is at the game, we should get them to honor him in between quarters or at the least have them announce it. Grant, is that you there with your hand up? Or were you pointing at me?

I think a dual-prong attack is probably the most effective way...

I'll talk to some people if you do the same.

Falcon Fanatic · Post by **Falcon Fanatic** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 4:28 pm

ZiggyZoomba wrote:
always a falcon wrote:If Mitch truly is at the game, we should get them to honor him in between quarters or at the least have them announce it. Grant, is that you there with your hand up? Or were you pointing at me?
I think a dual-prong attack is probably the most effective way...

I'll talk to some people if you do the same.

I already notified Mitch's brother of my donation, since I can't go! And a
"Welcome Home, Mitch" tailgate party at the Miaimi game is just what is needed!! I also would be willing to talk to people about honoring him at the Miami game!! What a fantastic idea!!!!!

Peregrinner · Post by **Peregrinner** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 4:42 pm

I don't really know him, but I would be willing to help support the cause or maybe even go along. If this goes the same way Project Falcon did and requires PayPal, though, I may not be able to contribute.

If the Miami welcome goes down, I'll make sure to stop over and say hello.

This is why BG fans are the best in the world.

cbjhack · Post by **cbjhack** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:42 pm

Great idea! But don't you think that Mitch might be tipped off to your plans by having it posted on this site? He may be in transit, but I am sure he will have some time to take a look at what's going in in BG and BG sports.

transfer2BGSU · Post by **transfer2BGSU** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 7:16 pm

Didn't read the opening paragraph, did you?

UtRocketMan · Post by **UtRocketMan** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 8:00 pm

Through generous donations, we already have $150 pledged for the trip to welcome home MajorFalcon92 ! Thanks Grant, Marta and the Jeep Veterens Group. This is getting the price lower and helping to make this a reality.
Peregrinner, no Paypal required, call me, 419.270.5337, let me know where we can pick you up (some exit on I-75) or close by. Give me some money when the bus picks you up. I want to keep this simple. I know Mitch would love to see some Falcon support. For the rest of the Bowling Green group, I am looking forward to tailgating with you guys at the Glassbowl and showing you some TOLEDO hospitality. Thanks for the support, Matt

Falcon Fanatic · Post by **Falcon Fanatic** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 11:36 pm

UtRocketMan wrote:Through generous donations, we already have $150 pledged for the trip to welcome home MajorFalcon92 ! Thanks Grant, Marta and the Jeep Veterens Group. This is getting the price lower and helping to make this a reality.
Peregrinner, no Paypal required, call me, 419.270.5337, let me know where we can pick you up (some exit on I-75) or close by. Give me some money when the bus picks you up. I want to keep this simple. I know Mitch would love to see some Falcon support. For the rest of the Bowling Green group, I am looking forward to tailgating with you guys at the Glassbowl and showing you some TOLEDO hospitality. Thanks for the support, Matt

As much as I look forward to tailgating at the ut game, I sure hope that Mitch can come to the Miami HOME game!! He NEEDS a little home-cookin' at the Doyt!!!

Bleeding Orange · Post by **Bleeding Orange** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:05 am

I am giving SERIOUS contemplation to going down to Westerville for this (which means I'm probably going

). And since I will be coming from Cleveland, I will likely not be taking the bus. I will probably need a hotel, though. Does anyone have any insights on hotels that may be available in Westerville or the surrounding area? I'll likely be flying solo, so I'm hoping that some of my Falcon brothers and sisters to be there! Not to mention Mitch and his family!

I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am for Mitch to be coming home. I'll be seeing him return about a week before I see another friend of mine off to Iraq. My God bless and keep them all.