Retired Army Sgt. Ryan Major of Towson, Md., is welcomed at Kahului Airport by Maui County Veterans Council Treasurer Elena Walker (right) and Secretary Janna Hoehn on Thursday afternoon. Major said he was wounded in 2006 when he stepped on a roadside bomb while en route to a mission in Ramadi, Iraq. Accompanying him on the trip, which is part of the Wounded Warriors program, are his mother, Lorrie Knight Major, and brothers Milan and Michael Major. Ryan Major said they also got a special welcome on Kauai. “I had a blast on Kauai,” he said. “It’s amazing, on both islands we’ve had such amazing welcomes.” He said one of the activities he is most looking forward to is ocean kayaking. Also participating in the welcome were Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa and Boo Baldovi, Maui Chapter Coordinator of the Heroes on the Water program. Walker said Arakawa and Veterans Council members try to greet and share gifts with every participant in the Wounded Warrior program who visits Maui. There are about nine arrivals on average each year. “When they come here to Maui, we want them to feel welcome,” she said.

The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo