CHICAGO - The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is proud to celebrate Military Appreciation Month by recognizing active and former military personnel traveling through Chicago's airports every day during the month of May through a series of planned events, programs and special discounts. A link to the full calendar of Military Appreciation Month events is posted on FlyChicago.com.
The CDA, in partnership with the United Service Organizations (USO) of Illinois, will host Military Appreciation Month at both O'Hare and Midway International Airports.
"We are honored to support and recognize the men and women who currently serve, and who have served, in the U.S. military," said CDA Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino. "Military Appreciation Month is an opportunity for the CDA, the USO, passengers traveling through Chicago's airports and our concessions partners to say 'thank you' to the men and women who serve our country."
Throughout the month of May, military personnel will receive discounts at selected concessions on Mondays and Wednesdays at both airports. Participating retail and food and beverage outlets will display signs offering 10-25 percent discounts at O'Hare and 10-20 percent discounts at Midway.
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Military personnel will get discount at airport stores and restaurants displaying this sign. |
Tuesdays will be Donation Days for the USO. Passengers and airport employees are encouraged to visit the USO Centers at each airport and donate food items such as chips, water, candy, granola bars, as well as phone calling cards, DVDs, video games, eyeglass wipes, hand sanitizer and other personal care items for use by military personnel and their families traveling through Chicago's airports. Donation bins will be located at USO centers in Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 at O'Hare and in Concourse B at Midway.
Each Thursday, USO staff located at information tables past security checkpoints will provide bottled water for military personnel and share information about what the USO offers to service members and their families, as well as volunteer opportunities for civilians. Passengers can also fill out "Thank A Hero" note cards to leave for those serving in the military. The note cards will be on display at the USO booths during the week of May 7. The tables at O'Hare will be located past security checkpoints at the following locations:
- May 3 in Terminal 2 right past the checkpoint from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.;
- May 10 in Terminal 3 near the H/K Concourse from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.;
- May 17 in Terminal 1 near the Dinosaur exhibit from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.;
- May 24 in Terminals 1, 2 and 3 at the above locations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- May 25 in Terminals 1, 2 and 3 at the above locations from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and
- May 28 in Terminals 1, 2 and 3 at the above locations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The tables at Midway, past security, will be near the information booth at the Food Court on all of the above dates from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A variety of live entertainment, from high school drill teams to blues and jazz bands and samba dancers, will take place at both airports for military travelers and their families on the following dates/times:
- May 4 and 11 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.;
- May 15 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.;
- May 18 and 19 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and
- May 25 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
At O'Hare, performances will be staged in the baggage claim area in Terminal 1 and on the lower level arrivals area in Terminal 5; and past security checkpoints in Terminals 2 and 3. At Midway, the entertainment will take place in the baggage claim area, as well as past security checkpoints near the Food Court in Concourse B.
Travelers can also learn about Military Appreciation Month activities through public announcements in the terminals and from electronic roadway boards at both airports.
