Troops “Welcome Home” Signs

Senator Tony Guglielmo, “Reminding the troops that their sacrifice is not forgotten is the least we can do.”

Maureen Kermode and her husband at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford where she testified in front of the Transportation Committee.

Hartford CT – On March 7, Senator Guglielmo’s constituent Maureen Kermode passionately testified before the State Transportation Committee urging them to pass a bill proposed by Senator Tony Guglielmo (R-Stafford).

The Proposed Senate Bill is 714: AN ACT REQUIRING THE DISPLAY OF “WELCOME HOME” MESSAGES FOR RETURNING CONNECTICUT MILITARY UNITS ON OVERHEAD HIGHWAY SIGN BOARDS.

“Our troops deserve no less than an inspiring homecoming each and every time they return home,” said Maureen Kermode. “The simple act of placing a ‘Welcome Home’ message on our highway signs will let the soldiers know that Connecticut appreciates them and is grateful they are home safe.”

Kermode has been a military wife for 15 years. Her mission to have a “Welcome Home” message posted began in 2004. At that time Kermode’s husband was returning from a 14 month tour in Iraq along with 225 other soldiers from the CT AVRCRAD. Kermode called the Department of Transportation (DOT) to request the message and was told it was not allowed.

She was disappointed but not defeated and instead with the help of friends and family painted “Welcome Home CT AVRCRAD” onto bed sheets and hung them on the overpasses from the state line in Enfield all the way to Groton.

Kermode tried again in 2008, while her husband was on his second tour of duty in Iraq. This time Maureen gathered hundreds of names on a petition. She wanted the welcome home signs to be there for his unit when they returned. But again the DOT denied her request. Finally, Kermode contacted State Senator Tony Guglielmo from the 35th district for his help.

Senator Tony Guglielmo said, “This idea is great and I appreciate Maureen bringing it to my attention. Reminding the troops that their sacrifice is not forgotten is the least we can do.”

Maureen Kermode testified that there have been other uses of the highway message boards that were allowed, so why not hers?

“If we can congratulate the UCONN teams, then we can certainly thank our soldiers,” said Maureen Kermode.

The bill is awaiting approval from the Transportation Committee.