Winner Describes Being Greeted By Airport Volunteers

Aero-News learned this week DFW International Airport's "Best Trip from the Best Airport" passenger essay contest has ended, with the top prize going to Tommi Milliman, a soldier in the Texas Army National Guard.

The contest was launched as a way to help celebrate DFW's recent successes, having been ranked 'Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Large Airports' in North America by J.D. Power and Associates. The airport was also recently named the 'Best Airport for Customer Service' in the Americas by the Airports Council International.

Travelers were invited to submit an essay about their best travel experience at DFW. Milliman's personal account was among dozens of essays submitted to dfwairport.com for consideration.

The following is the text of the winning entry:

Thank You from a Soldier

I am a soldier in the Texas Army National Guard. I served a year in Afghanistan. I arrived in Afghanistan in May 05 and took leave at Christmas time. I didn't know what to expect from the American public and really didn't think they would know anything about me coming home.

When we landed in Dallas, there was fire trucks shooting water over the plane to welcome us home, I was so proud of my home town and had tears in my eyes. When we got off the plane we were greeted by tons of Americans holding flags and goody bags for us. They were clapping, shaking our hands, and hugging us. I have never been so proud to be an American in all my life. It was that day that I realized what I had went to fight for.

The Dallas Fort Worth Airport reminds me of how great it is not to only be American but to be from Dallas. Thank you so much for allowing the public to welcome us home, it shows what great Americans you are.

---Tommi Milliman

Having submitted the winning entry, Milliman will receive win four round-trip tickets on American Airlines and a new set of luggage.

FMI: www.dfwairport.com