Chicago Airports Salute Our Troops
May is Military Appreciation Month and our Chicago airports are celebrating in some special ways we wanted to share. Chicago’s airports are sparkling in red, white and blue to honor our military as the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) kicks off its 4th year of celebrations, recognizing active and former military personnel traveling through O’Hare and Midway International Airports this month.
Throughout the month the CDA in partnership with the United Service Organization of Illinois and airport concessionaires will sponsor a series of great events, programs and special discounts for our military personnel. A full calendar of such events can be found here.
CDA Military Appreciation Month Highlights:
Concessions Discounts
Restaurants and shops at both airports are offering up to 20% off 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, 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.
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.
Music 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.
You can get involved via social media by using hashtags #ORDMilitaryLove and #MDWMilitaryLove on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter about Military Appreciation Month. Share your own pictures of your participation in the activities as you travel through the Chicago airports and get involved in the fun! Travelers can also 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.
