Legion and Merchants Treat Another Veteran Family to an Ocean City Vacation

The Ocean City American Legion Post 524 will welcome a military veteran and his family to “America’s Favorite Family Resort” for the second consecutive week of summer 2014. Technical Sergeant Michael A. Costello, his wife, Melissa, and their three children will be greeted on Saturday, June 28, and honored. The Veterans Rest and Relaxation Program joins local citizens and merchants, who offer returning active duty vets and their families a donated condo and a variety of Ocean City entertainment packages as a thank you for their service. The program is in its second year of operation. Technical Sergeant Michael A. Costello is flanked by his wife, Melissa, and his three children, Isabella (12), Sophia Rose (8) and Demitrius (19). Technical Sergeant Costello served four years in the United States Marines as part of Operation Restore Democracy in Haiti. Subsequently, he joined the 177th Civil Engineering Squadron, where he has been an engineering assistant and career advisor with the 177th Fighter Wing. He was deployed in 2011 as a member of the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron to Ali Al Salem, Kuwait where he received the Air Force Commendation Medal. “We are looking forward to some quality time in Ocean City to relax and look forward to happier times,” Melissa Costello said. “Military family members are very important to our project,” said  Steve Cole, chairman of the Veterans Rest & Relation Committee. “The families always share in the sacrifice of deployed service members.” Cole has been instrumental in gathering welcome baskets filled with gift certificates and shore-related items for the families to enjoy throughout their stay. During the week, Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian will present the family with the keys to the city and a mayoral proclamation. — News release from Doug Otto for the American Legion