Bangor Daily News Article:
http://www.bangornews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=153324&zoneid=500
500,000 TROOPS PASS THROUGH BANGOR INTERNATIONAL
August 18, 2007 – Bangor, Maine – At 2:30 in the morning the chairs in the Troop Greeters room were filled with greeters catching a few moments of quiet between flights. They had already greeted three flights, more than 600 troops, in the last 24 hours. But no one was leaving because the next flight was the one carrying the 500,000th service person to go through Bangor’s terminal since 2003.
“We have been waiting all summer for this one.” said Bill Knight, who has been keeping the Maine Troop Greeters organized since 2003. It has been a long week of counting and waiting as we got closer. Just when we thought it was the next flight there would be a change.” But no matter how many were on the flight or what time of day or night, the Maine Troop Greeters warmly greeted each flight with the same enthusiasm.
This milestone has been anticipated for several months giving the Troop Greeters and Airport staff plenty of time to gather together gift bags for each service member on the flight, arrange for cake and beverage service and, of course, keep smiling, saying “Thank You” and counting.
Tony Caruso, Assistant Airport Director commented in between moving furniture and helping get ready for the flight, “We are often the first stop back in the US or the last stop before leaving American soil for these people. We are proud that we can send them off with great support or be the first to welcome them back. We have often heard from military personnel who came through here during the first Gulf War about how much it meant to them. We want these soldiers to have that same meaningful experience.”
The flight bound for overseas landed at 3:40 AM carrying two Army units. The final countdown began. They only needed 222 to make the milestone – as the troops started filing off the plane, the count started and within 15 minutes Specialist Tommitrea Minnifee was counted as number 500,000.
The cheers and the thank you’s were given to all, but to number 500,000 there were many more pictures snapped and her gift bag had a big yellow ribbon. Everyone on the flight received a canvas tote bag from L.L. Bean filled with goodies from UPS, Honor Grounds, Hannaford Bros, Disabled Veterans of America, WalMart, Bangor News and Gifts (Stellar Stores), and Bangor International Airport. And each bag was accompanied by Monty Moose, BGR’s mascot. La Bree’s Bakery gave whoopee pies and Shaw’s helped contribute goodies for the event.
Congressman Michael Michaud was on hand to greet the troops and say a few words of thanks. Gail Kelly from Senator Snowe’s office also offered thanks. General Libby, Adjutant General, Maine National Guard was also there to greet the troops.
City Councilor Susan Hawes marked the milestone with thanks and praise and gave the key to the City and the City flag to First Sergeant Holder. And she assured the troops that “as long as you are fighting for us, we will be here ready to welcome you home.”
Bangor International Airport is a full-service regional airport offering non-stop, affordable flights to Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati, Detroit, New York’s LaGuardia, Newark, Philadelphia, and seasonal flights to Minneapolis. The Airport is an enterprise funded entity operated by the City of Bangor and is supported solely through Airport generated revenue.