Soldier Overseas Answers Questions From Local Students

Army Sgt. Timothy Ott read a book and answered question from students, including his two kids, at Overlook Elementary School.

Soldier Surprises His Kids With Book Reading From Afghanistan

Sgt. Timothy Ott read a book and answered questions from students at his kids' school in Linthicum.

Army Sgt. Timothy Ott left his family for a second tour in Afghanistan three weeks ago, and his kids thought it would be six months until they saw him again. But thanks to faculty at Overlook Elementary School and media specialists for Anne Arundel County Public Schoos (AACPS), Ott surprised his two kids, Tristan and Liberty, with a video conference reading of The Flag We Love by Pam Muñoz Ryan on Friday. "How are you guys?" Ott asked, from an undisclosed location 7,000 miles away in Afghanistan. More than 200 antsy kids replied with an extended, "Gooood." Ott read a book about the history of the people who created the American flag and those who have upheld its honor, representing the American people. Then, for 10 minutes, he took …

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200 US Troops Greeted Home by Local Volunteers

Operation Welcome Home greeted about 240 troops on Monday at BWI airport with handshakes, applause and a basket of goods.

Patriotic fanfare blared from a stereo as a crowd filled with family, friends and veterans cheered for more than 200 U.S. troops arriving back home at Baltimore-Washington Airport on Monday. The international terminal at BWI was filled with the sounds of a small-scale parade as volunteers with Operation Welcome Home greeted the serviceman with handshakes, applause, cowbell clangs and a basket of goods. The organization has routinely offered a warm welcome to home-bound troops since it started in 2007, employing volunteers and donated goods from the community. On Monday, a father was reunited with his daughter and wife, and another man was welcomed back home by his grandfather, a military veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars. BWI serves …

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