Chicago Department of Aviation kicks off Military Appreciation Month with series of planned events, programs and special discounts for military personnel

CHICAGO, 2015-5-5 — /Travel PR News/ — Chicago’s airports are sparkling in red, white and blue to honor our military as the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) kicks off Military Appreciation Month. This annual celebration, now in its fourth year, recognizes active and former military personnel traveling through O’Hare and Midway International Airports.

Throughout the month, the CDA, in partnership with the United Service Organization of Illinois (USO) and airport concessionaires, will sponsor a series of planned events, programs and special discounts for military personnel at Chicago’s airports. A full calendar of events will be posted on the CDA’s website at this link.

CDA Military Appreciation Month Highlights:

Concessions Discounts
Restaurants and shops at both airports are offering discounts of up to 20 percent for traveling military personnel.  A full listing of concessions discounts is posted at this link for O’Hare and here for Midway.

USO Donation Days
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 and candy, 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. The Midway USO Center, conveniently located on Concourse C, will also offer donation bins.

USO Information Tables
On May 8, 15, 22 and 29, the USO at O’Hare will staff information tables past security checkpoints to 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. Please view the Military Appreciation Month calendar of activities on the CDA’s website for USO table locations.

Thank You Thursdays
The CDA will set up a large board inviting passengers to write “Thank You” messages to those serving in the military. The board will be in O’Hare Terminal 1 on May 7, at Midway on May 14 and in O’Hare Terminal 3 on May 28. The boards will be displayed at the airports’ USO centers in June.
Musical Entertainment
Each Friday of this month a variety of live entertainment, including marching bands, jazz ensembles and Blues bands, will take place at both airports.

  • ORD Music Entertainment: Every Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. The entertainment stages are located in baggage claim in Terminals 1, 2 and 3, and in the lower level arrivals area across from the Information Booth in Terminal 5.
  • MDW Music Entertainment:On May 1 and May 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on May 8, May 15 and May 22 from 2 to 5 p.m. Entertainment is located in baggage claim next to the Information Booth.

Social Media

The CDA will use the hashtags #ORDMilitaryLove and #MDWMilitaryLove on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter in its posts about Military Appreciation Month. Travelers are encouraged to use these hashtags on social media to find photos and information, or to post messages and photos to express their appreciation of our military personnel.

Honor Flight
On Wednesday, May 6, nearly 90 World War II veterans from Chicago and surrounding communities will have the chance to visit the National Memorials in Washington, D.C. thanks to Honor Flight Chicago.  Now in its eighth season, Honor Flight Chicago provides transportation from Midway International Airport to Washington, D.C. and back for the veterans and their guardians. It also sponsors a send-off celebration at the departure gate with a performance by the “Legacy Girls”, an Andrews Sisters musical tribute trio. For more information about Honor Flight Chicago and how to register for this unique opportunity, click here.​