HEROWelcome Home

BY NICK BUTLER

Its mission is relatively simple, yet profound for those involved.

Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey is a non-profit organization consisting of all volunteers who support U.S. troops by collecting donated supplies and goodies to send to the “brave heroes deployed in harm’s way in the Middle East including Iraq, Afghanistan and those supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve.”

And to help “promote, coordinate, and facilitate welcoming home events for local veterans in the South Jersey area by partnering with the Warriors Watch Riders and other patriotic organizations to bring our local heroes home in Rock Star Fashion.”

In April, Operation Yellow Ribbon hosted a Welcome Back Hero event in West Deptford at the Verga VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) to welcome Pitman native U.S. Air Force Technical (USAF T) Sgt. Derek S. Brown home.

Brown is a weapons loader and mechanic for the U.S. Air Force and has served in multiple campaigns, including being deployed to Afghanistan and stationed in Korea and Japan. Currently, Brown is stationed in Levittown, Pa., where he is an Air Force please see HERO, page 5

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continued from page 4 recruiter.

Brown grew up in Pitman and graduated from Pitman High School. In 2005, Brown joined the Air Force.

While not all service life is glamorous, being able to “see the world” is a perk.

Brown is also a family man. He is a husband to Jieun Yun. He is a father of two – Leona and Jaxon - with a third due in May.

During his free time, Brown enjoys gardening and growing indoor plants.

Alongside having a green thumb, Brown enjoys creating awards for his fellow service members. He makes the awards out of recyclables and other reclamation materials.

Dave Silver, of Operation Yellow Ribbon, spearheaded the Welcome Back Hero event. While the rainy weather dampened the celebration, Silver was glad he was still able to put something together for Brown and his family.

“With the weather, we weren’t able to have all the bells and whistles we normally get to have,” Silver said. “We would have loved to have done more for TSgt. Brown, but the inclement kept some of the usual supporters out of commission. Hopefully the next one will have all the stops.”

The Welcome Home event started at

Brown’s residence with a surprise arrival from members of the community.

During the ride from his residence to the Verga VFW, there was a parade of cars and members of the community lined up down the street holding American flags showing support for Brown.

At the VFW, members of Operation Yellow Ribbon, the community and Brown’s family enjoyed comradery, food, speeches,

For more information about Operation Yellow Ribbon visit OperationYellowRibbon. org. You can also follow Operation Yellow Ribbon on

Last year, some 49,107 pounds of goodies were sent to U.S. troops all around the world. To date, close to 13,000 pounds of goodies

You can also reach out to Dave Silver of Operation Yellow Ribbon by emailing him at OYRofSJ@Gmail.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF OPERATION YELLOW RIBBON Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey held a Welcome Home Hero event for Pitman native U.S. Air Force Technical (USAF T) Sgt. Derek S. Brown.

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