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Letters from our Troops We hope you enjoy and are inspired by these wonderful letters from the men and women who serve each and every one of us as well as their families. Please write to us and share your thoughts and stories.
Please click here to see a special card remembering Flight 93 in Pennsylvania July 25, 2010 Thank You!!!!!! Of course I loved the pics of my boy but I also love seeing pics of all the Soldiers. Thank You from the bottom of my heart for these wonderfull pictures and everything you do! It means the world to me, and I am sure to all the parents, that you can be there to welcome them with a smile and send them on their journey to help others. Thank you for all the photos and especially the one of my nephew. This was particularly hard for him, because his grandfather (an veteran of the Navy and the Korean war) just died on Monday. Thank you for what you do - I know it means a lot Aunt S. & Uncle J. July 24, 2010 It is so wonderful what you do for the soldiers coming thru Bangor. My parents live in Maine and meet my husband on his way out to Afghanistan. I know I would want people there for me if I was in thas situation! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO TO MAKE THESE MEN AND WOMEN FEEL WELCOME SO FAR FROM HOME. July 22, 2010 Thanks for meeting the Marines and Sailors from 2/9 Camp Lejeune. My husband told me on the phone how they were greated and he had never seen anything like it! There is a picture of my husand shaking a ladies hand posted. Thanks for all you do and the support you give to our troops! July 18, 2010 Thank you for the greetings along the way. They deserve so much appreciation. I believe I caught a candid shot of my marine. I almost feel I'm still with him. May they all return safe. July 17, 2010 Thank you so much for giving of your time. We are so Thankful for the people that show appreciation to our military. Its people like you that help to ease the pain of our son being away making the many sacrifices! July 5, 2010 Thanks for greeting the soldiers. It was one of the hardest days for our family when he left our new baby for the war. I appriciate you showing your appriciation to him and the others. I know it ment alot. Thank you for taking pictures. I just want to thank all troop greeters for all they do. the pictures you take mean a lot to the familys. July 4, 2010 Please click here to see letter from Colonel R. Greeting! June 27, 2010 I just wanted to thank each of you and EVERY member of your group!! Our son, PV2 Brandon C, called after his unit's plane landed in Maine yesterday and told us that your group was waiting at their gate to welcome them as they disembarked from their aircraft and wished them well as they boarded to head to Afghanistan. He was very surprised by the support they received in Maine and because of this he and our family will always think fondly of the state of Maine and those of you that live there. I realize, with the amount of troops deploying to Afghan right now, it must require a lot time and coordination to see that each aircraft is met and I wanted to say Thank You for supporting our son and all of our young Patriots that are heading into harms way! June 25, 2010 I just wanted to send a thank you for all that you do in supporting our troops. My husband just returned from his tour in Bagram Afghanistan today 6/25 and it is so nice to know there are people out there taking attention to that. It brought a comforting feeling to me (and i know most of the wife's in his unit too) to know people were there to greet my husband and his fellow soldiers at their first stop in the US, it brought happy tears to my eyes to see how happy they were. Since I wouldn't be able to see him for another week or so I really appreciate these pictures more than you know! I really cannot thank you enough!Thanks! What a wonderful thing you do. Thank you from a grandmother. June 24, 2010 Thank you so much for posting these pictures and for being there to greet our troops. One of the guys in this unit is like a brother to me...his wife alerted me to these pics and it is good to see him and his cohorts :) Thanks again for everything and keep up the GREAT work! I just wanted to thank all for the love and support you show our families. I had not only my son but my cousin go through your area a day apart. It is a great feeling knowing that you care about our families like they are your own. As a mom and cousin I thank you for all your caring and help you show our loved ones. June 20, 2010 Thank you for all the support you gave our troops as they passed your way. I know as a military spouse these acts of kindness mean alot to the soldiers. Thank you again. June 18 stop over in Bangor, Maine To all the wonderful airport greeters in your group, June 16, 2010 Thank you and all the volunteers associated with MTG for what you do. I'm the wife of an Army Reservist who recently returned from Iraq. MTG volunteers were there to send him off to Iraq, and welcome him home - in the wee hours of the morning both times. He was so grateful of being able to use one of your cell phones to call us for a goodbye cry before he left the States, and then again when he arrived back on U.S. soil to say "I'm home". I saw the PBS special while he was deployed and cried a good cry because of the obvious love the MTG volunteers have for the men and women serving our country. You are all sort of family away from home. My husband still speaks so wonderfully of the Maine Troop Greeters and just how he felt so appreciated while all he wanted to do was show appreciation to the volunteers! Thank you, all, for your continued selfless acts of kindness. Have a wonderful day, and may you all continue to be blessed because of what you do. June 11, 2010 I am so grateful that good folks like you all are there to wish my daughter luck and show that you value her service to this country. Thank you with all my heart! June 8, 2010 I think what you are doing is absolutely wonderful. THANK YOU for showing our heroes that they are worthy of recognition and gratitude. If I lived back home, I would be right there helping you. Whenever I see a soldier -- man or woman -- any place within these United States, I make it a point to stop and say "Thank you." Keep up the good work! June 7, 2010 Sir/Ma'am I wanted to take a minute and tell you how much I love what you do for us!!! I have been through Bangor several times and you know I feel so much pride and joy in doing what I do because of you! As I loaded the plane heading for Europe and eventually on to Iraq, I noticed something I had not seen before and it was tears in the eyes of many of the Soldiers I passed as I moved to my seat. Yes I felt them form in my eyes as we ran down the runway and the tears were from the tribute and send off that you gave us. I don't know if these words help you but you bring so much joy and peace to so many military members and I just wanted to give something back!! I know many of you in the past did not get the same send off or greeting that you give to so many and I think that is a dreadful part of our history! Just know that this old soldier is very grateful!! I think that Military men and women do what we do with great pride because of people like you!! Thank you for supporting us!! June 5, 2010 Good morning, My husband & his unit came through on May 26th. He said everyone was so nice and thoughtful. He has never seen anything like that as of yet & said it was a great sight to see. I know that both of us wish that most Americans would appreciate what the military does like you all do. Thank you so much for being so nice & generous to our 2nd Battalion 4th Marines out of Camp Pendleton out here! It is greatly appreciated again & I sincerely want to say thank you for taking care of them! Semper Fi, May 13, 2010 Many times my husband has told me about the wonderful group of folks that greet him each time he passes through Maine while deployed. Today my son called to tell me about you all again. This is his first time and he was so moved and grateful. Thank you for what you do and God Bless your precious souls. May 11, 2010 A friend sent me a link to your website. I just wanted to say thank you for what you are doing. My son, Pvt. RC is deploying right now, as I type from Ft. Campbell, KY, headed for Afghanistan. I don't know if you ever meet flights leaving in the wee hours of the morning, but you can be sure I'll be checking your site often. Again - I thank you so much for what you do.....my heart stopped aching for just a little while knowing there are kind, generous people out there who care about our troops. May 4, 2010 I recently watched the movie The Way We Get By. The only reason I remember the first time I was in Maine on January 31, 2003, is because it was the last time I was in the United States until October 2, 2003. Unfortunatly when I returned, my flight flew directly from Germany to March Airfore Base In Riverside, CA. My second deployment to Iraq was from August 2004 March 2005. That time when we returned home we landed in Bangor, Maine.. Five years later I'll never forget how dumb founded I was as I walked down the jetway that a group of vetrains was standing there to meet me.. I'm not a very outspoken person I shook hands, said thank you and walked by. I remember the generosity that the people there showed us and I even remember the film crew that was there filming a documentary.. The crew asked us to talk about any friends we lost during our deployment. I've never forgotten that even after five years. After watching the film I now realize what it means to you to do what you do. I wanted to take this opportunity and hope that this finds its way to you to thank you for what you do. Sometimes I think my fiancee, who I met after my time in the Marine Corps came to an end, gets tired of my stories, but my shock at the welcome I recieved in Bangor, Maine is one I will tell over and over again. Please don't ever stop doing what you do because you leace a lasting impression on us. I remember seeing each and everyone of you at the airport. Hello! I just wanted to take the time to thank you folks for your kindness to my Marine. He was touched by your hospitality and so thankful for the use of the phone. I can't tell you how exciting it was to hear from him thanks to you all. I also loved seeing the picture of him on your website. Keep up the great work and thanks so much! May 3, 2010 I would like to thank you for what you do for our troops. All 3 of my children serve our nation in the military. My oldest son just left Bangor on Saturday, May 1, 2010. This is his 3rd deployment & you have been there each time. I am so grateful & appreciative of your service to these men & women. April 24, 2010 Thank you so much for providing me with a photo of my husband! It has brought a smile to my face during these tough times. Thank you for all of your support and generosity towards our Marines & a small gift to remember their last moments in the states. Even though they may act like tough guys, they are appreciative teddy bears on the inside! Thanks again and God Bless! Our son was in Maine on the 19th and we received his picture via your web site. It meant so much to see his smiling face. God bless you and thank you for the service you are doing for the soldiers and their families. Thank you again. April 23, 2010 Hello, Thank you for all you do for our troops! My son thought it was great that you come to the airport late at night to greet them on their way. And he said you all were 'really nice'. God bless you all and thank you again! Dear Volunteers, I just wanted to write you a note and let you know that we appreciate what you do so much! My husband came through the airport last evening, and called to let me know that he was at "THAT" airport. Just before he left, our family watched a documentary about the good things that people are doing there in Maine for our troops. We had no idea that his travels would take him there. Thank you for the pictures, the kind words, the hugs, handshakes and positive atmosphere that you so generously provide for our soldiers! It really made my husband's day when he was able to see first hand that people really do still care about the sacrifices they make. God bless you all! April 22, 2010 Thanks so much for the great looking coin....more important thank you for all you do for our guys in your unselfish greeting with all of your fellow greeters...after 25 years of deployments...I know how much that means to guys and gals who give so much of themselves..for their country...thank you. My step-son was handed a cell phone when he got off the plane from Iraq and told to call anyone he wanted to. He called his dad who was at the base waiting for him - on the other side of the country - what a great surprise for both of them :o) April 21, 2010 I wanted to thank you all for the wonderful work you are doing by being there with those beautiful smiles for our soldiers! My husband and his unit came through this past Monday night (April 19th)heading abroad, and he called me to telling me how much it meant to have your group greet them! (You even got his photo while he was talking with me!) The pictures arent posted yet, but our FRG cannot wait! He said his soldiers were truly touched and honored by your presence, even at 10:30pm! thank you, thank you!!!! May GOD continue to bless you and your work!!!!
I can't thank you all enough for the wonderful welcoming you showed the Marines of the 3/1 Battalion this afternoon! You are an amazing group of people and what you do is uplifting and encouraging. My husband called me from the airport after he met you all and he was able to give me the website to the photos. I shared them with our Company contact and because of you guys and your photos the sad families left at home were able to see their smiling Marine for one more day. As one who has served now proudly supporting our son who serves I wanted to say Thank you to your organization for the support, hospitality, and respect provided to servicemen and women who find themselves traveling through Bangor International. My son was among the 3rd BN 1st MAR troops who journeyed through Bangor yesterday, April 20, and his picture (071) is among those posted at [http://ourstopinmaine.smugmug.com/The-Troops-2010/April-2010/April-20-2010-3-PM ]http://ourstopinmaine.smugmug.com/The-Troops-2010/April-2010/April-20-2010-3-PM. He is newly married (just 6 days ago) and his wife was really happy to see his spirits were up. It's a great picture and made my day.
April 16, 2010 Dear Greeters, Just wanted to thank you and your Bangor Team for making us feel welcomed and appreciated on our trip out to Theater. We will look forward to seeing you all again in about two months... knock on wood! April 3, 2010 Your organization meant so much to my sons when they went to Iraq in Sept 2007 and March 2008 and when they returned Apr 2008 and Oct 2008. One of my sons just left for Afghanistan yesterday and came through your airport on April 1, some time in the evening from March Airforce Base. Your people really put a smile on his face! I am in Southern California and I am so happy you are there for these young men and women. Nicole R. April 2, 2010 Board of The Maine Troop Greeters, We want to thank the Maine Troop Greeters for what they do for the many young men and women who are in transit to either overseas or coming home from overseas. They are the reason we maintain the level of freedom we have here in the United States. As a parent of two who are overseas right now, it is a real comfort to know how many people care ad are willing to give their free time to show our military they are appreciated for what they do for us. Please share this with the other members of your organization as we want to thank all of you. Thank You and God Bless you all, March 29, 2010 Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the picture of my daughter and son in law. It was a big load lifted off of me when I saw her smiling. Thank you for the time you give to others like myself. I have two daughters now in Iraq but with someone like you made it a little easier knowing people still care about others.!! God Bless You !! March 28, 2010 Subject: Deploying soldier thank you My name is Andrea S. and my husband, Col S. passed through Bangor yesterday on his way to Iraq. He called me and our six year old daughter Maizie on the phone provided by your organization. Even old soldiers struggle when they leave their loved ones. We have been married 25 years and he has deployed many times, but this is the first time Maizie will remember and speaking for my husband and myself, deployment is different with a 6 year old watching her Dad leave. That phone call brightened our day as we wondered how his trip was going. He had a smile in his voice as he told us of the fantastic reception you guys provide there in Bangor for the soldiers as they come through. We are pet lovers and owners and the fact that there were dogs amongst the greeters made it even more special. He wanted me to email you and let you know that he appreciated your organization's effort and all the volunteers who come to cheer the troops on as they head into theatre. It obviously raised his spirits as the tone of his voice and the genuine appreciation I could hear in it made us easier knowing someone cared enough to ease the trip. Again, he's an old soldier and has made many trips without such care and cheer being shown at stopping points. We want you to know that both for our family and all those soldiers whom you touch it truly makes a difference a brightens both those you see and those you don't see on the end of those phones you so thoughtfully provide. Those efforts touched a six year old girl who was really missing her Dad and an old Army wife facing yet another deployment into harm's way. Again, a heartfelt thank you to all who contribute to make the Bangor stop the comforting, friendly stopover on the long trip into theatre. Sincerely, March 27, 2010 Thank you so much for all your help. My husband and I were really impressed with all that you people do in greeting the troops. We had found out a little after 9 the night before that our son Dan would be having a layover in Bangor. We were up at 3 am Sunday to drive down from Aroostook County to see him. I had been praying that we would see him one last time and God graciously answered my prayer. March 20, 2010 (Below are several notes from this day) I would like to thank you for the help about my son-in-laws flight 03/20/10 . I am glad we made the trip because of the plane getting held over and the troops put up in hotels we got to visit longer. We were so impressed with all that you awesome people do for our young men & women coming and going to and from war zones. God Bless you all. we hope to see you again soon when our son-in-law makes a safe trip home, God Bless Alicia Y. Proud Mother-in-law of , PFC H. (home town Peru, Me). We love you Daddy!!! We are so proud of you - Always. Stay safe and come home soon! Thank you so much for helping care for our soldiers! My husband has gone through your stop point several times now and is always very thankful for all that you do. Thank you so much for all you do for them and all you have done for our country yourselves. Much love - keep up the great work! Thank you so much for what you do for our troops and their families. Today is my son's 20th birthday and this is the most recent picture I have of him. I really need to it today! Thank you for the blessing! We love u boy! We wont let 1 day go by that we dont pray for your safe return to the family that loves u with all our hearts. Thanks for being the person u are and you are just one of the best! Thank you for these priceless photos. Our last sight of them was when they left home base. But your photos give those waiting back home tangible evidence they are safe at the moment. Thats me on the phone with him, crying crocidile tears, holding the hands of our children, who are wondering if they will ever see their Dad again. Thank you for providing this service to the brave souls who are fighting for our freedom and for those waiting at home, praying with all their might that they are returned safely home. I LOVE U BRANDON and will be here waiting here with your babes, never having a thought without u in it, praying u stay safe and come home to us in the same state as you left, but with a smile on your face! Thanks for this picture of my son, whom I love very much. March 17, 2010 To the wonderful greeters in Maine; I just wanted to send a note expressing my gratitude to all of you in Bangor Maine. This is my husbands third deployment but first time flying through your airport. My husband along with many of his fellow solders were pleasantly surprised at your warm welcome on March 15th. It was amazing to see the greeters their shaking hands with our solders so late at night. I can honestly say they have never received that kind of welcome before. It made me feel more at ease about their long journey seeing all the pictures on the slide show. Our time apart seem all worthwhile knowing there are wonderful people out there like all of you. Please keep up the wonderful work of making solders feel that their jobs are important to the American people. Sara M. March 16, 2010 On March 14, my son, a Marine, landed at your airport. Thanks for greeting our troops; it means a lot. I did not have the joy of this when I was going or coming home. The time was long ago. I was a Viet Nam Vet. Bless you. March 13, 2010 Sir: Please give my deepest thank you to all the members of your wonderful organization. My son recently deployed to Afghanistan via Bangor and I am deeply appreciative for the care and concern that your group is showing for our defenders, and particularly on the behalf of my child.. The photos were heartwarming as was the usage of a telephone to call me. Too bad Shannon Airport does not show similar, or at least reasonable, respect in charging $40+ (US) for a brief call to home. I myself am a (Viet Nam) veteran, and will defend anyone's right to disagree with war. War is ugly. As it is often stated, "We need not respect the war, but we MUST respect our warriors." Thank you for showing my child and all of the other brave and giving patriots the respect and care which they so richly deserve. Thank you for the smiling picture of my child. Thank you again. March 12, 2010 I just wanted to say thank you so much for what you do. I just saw the photos today of my oldest son and members of his team when they stopped in Maine. My youngest son and husband are soon to follow. What you do is so absolutely wonder and touching. I can't thank you enough. God Bless you and thank you for taking care of him while he was there. Joyce March 12, 2010 Thank you for all you do. It was a nice surprise to see my son on his way to his deployment. You made this mom a happy and thankful mom. I will be more than happy to share your web page with all I know. Anita M March 11, 2010 To the Bangor Troop Greeters, Thanks for all that you do. You were there for me and my unit as we made our way back from Afghanistan to Mississippi in November and it is truly comforting to know you will be there in the "wee" hours of the morning when my fiancée arrives back home as well. What a wonderful feeling to be greeted by such great Americans. God Bless you and your families! MAJ Beth A. S. March 9, 2010 To the "Troop Greeters of Maine!" I am a wife of a Marine, that you greeted yesterday, and I just wanted to send my sincerest and most heart felt thank you to everyone who participates in this program. This is our first deployment, and yesterday was a very difficult day for us. We are newly wed, and we will be spending almost our entire first year of marriage apart. But I could not be more proud, and honored to be his wife! When he called me today at the airport in Maine, and told me about what this group does, and gave me the web address, I was SO excited. And when I saw my husbands smile as he was shaking a vetrans hand online tonight, my face lit up like a Christmas tree. It honestly made, this very difficult day just a little easier. Thank you so much for being there to cheer my husband on when I could not. This group is filled with people who know just a little bit of kindness can go a very long way. God Bless, and please, continue to do what you do. Thank you, March 9, 2010 Hello! I just wanted to write a thank you note. My brother in law, James P., left a few days ago to go overseas for the first time. He and my younger sister have lived across the US from me for a few years now. I only got to meet him once before he went to basic and we parted ways. I live in Oregon and it is unbelievably hard to get the fund together to go and see them, as they lived in Florida and then he was stationed in Kansas. The photo you took of him is the first one I have seen since he got out of basic. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for capturing that moment for me. He looks amazing! I think what you are doing (this goes to everyone who takes part and helps in the pictures) is a much needed relief for a lot of people. I know it was for me. God bless you for the time and effort you put into this. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Sally N. 3/6/10 To all your wonderful Greeters: I just read about you in the Sgt Gret newsletter. God bless you for the wonderful love you display to our troops. Keep up the great work. From a WWII jarhead. Semper Fi! Marscher C. 3/5/10 Dear Maine Troop Greeters, I am writing to thank you for your kindness & hospitality & willingness to serve. My son passed thru Bangor on his way to & from Iraq back in 2008. I had no idea your group existed until I saw the documentary on TV this past year. Your dedication touched my heart. I have family in the Bangor area & used to visit as a child. Thank you for being there when us mom's and dad's can't be. We appreciate you more thanyou'll ever know! God bless you & God bless America. Lou & Barb V. & family March 5, 2010 To all you wonderful people, My husband left for Afganistan, yesterday, Wednesday the 3rd of March for a year long deployment. His first stop was in Bangor and he got to encounter you all welcoming him with a smile, handshake and thank yous. My first email from him told be about your greeting. As a wife left behind, I want to thank you for the love and support you extended to my husband and his fellow Marines. What a blessing to know that on a very difficult day for both my husband and myself, he was lead to smile by some very generous people who took the time to extend their support. Thank you, March 1, 2010 Just wanted to thank you and all the others in your hometown who do what you do for our Troops who fly in and out of Bangor, Maine. My son, Capt. Sam S., and his troops where there sometime this past Saturday, February 27 on their way to Iraq and he said there were people there to greet them, with signs and how good it made them feel. So thank you and all of those people who are there to welcome home and send our troops off. It is a great service and as a Mom I really do appreciate you kindness. Susan March, 2010 Dear Maine Troop Greeters, Thank you for all that you do! My husband has been through your airport too many times to count. And each time you all have been there to give thanks, a handshake, snacks, and a call home. Your generosity means more than you know. Thank you! Sincerely, February, 2010 Dear Marine (Maine) Troop Greeters, It is with great appreciation that I write you to thank you for so warmly greeting HMH 363 on February 18th. My son was surprised and honored to have such a large support group there to see them off. As mom, I appreciated all the photos posted. Thank you so much for your generosity in commitment and your unselfishness in service. Thank you very much. Barbara and Randy H. Sunday, February 21, 2010 11:52 AM My son, Sgt Lee S., left Fort Lee VA yesterday for his deployment to Afghanistan. My heart is breaking and I have been holding onto my phone wanting to hear his voice one more time before it becomes so difficult. Then this morning, my daughter-in-law send me your link. Seeing his smiling face in your photos brought happy tears to my eyes. I want to thank you so much for greeting the soldiers and letting them know that not only their families but other American love and support him. I hope you know that you not only support the soldiers with your thoughtfulness but the families. I am so thankful for these pictures of my son and his friends. Lee is 26 yrs old. He has been in the military for almost 9 yrs now. Lee is married, for 6 years now, with three children. Makayla 8, Joey, 5 and Kaden 1 1/2. He comes from a long line of military men, having served in WWII, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. Lee served 18 mos in Iraq and this is his first tour in Afghanistan. He is a loving man who is a good husband, good father and a good son. God Bless you and God Bless America! Sunday, February 14, 2010 9:50 PM Thank you so much for your dedication to supporting our military. We were very happy to see our sons picture posted on your site and more importantly to see his fellow Marines who will be going overseas with him. This is a great thing that you do for our Service men and woman, their families and our Country. God Bless you... Sunday, February 14, 2010 11:43 PM Just wanted to thank you for supporting our troops and taking time to post pictures of our soldiers. This has been a very stressful time for us and to see our grandson's picture has made our day very special and uplifting. He was very excited when he called us from Maine. This was his first plane ride and first time in Maine. Please remember our family in your prayers. Thank you again. Wednesday, February 10, 2010 1:50 PM My name is Vickie, and I am a proud parent of a National Guardsman who came through your airport via Hattiesburg, MS on Monday (2/8) on their way to Iraq. I only found out about the "troop greeters" organization on Monday morning at work, and it was a God-send. Out of all the pictures that were posted yesterday, I was lucky to find one of my son! J It means the world to me and is now displayed as the background on my computer screen. An ordinary "Thank You" is not enough to share what is in my heart... and even though I spent last week with him, it was wonderful to "SEE" him one more time. Thank You All for the wonderful gift you give to all the parents of our soldiers. God Bless, Tuesday, February 09, 2010 I just wanted to say thank you sooo much for the pictures you took of my solider as he arrived their in maine. As I talked to him, he was so blown away by your welcome and hospitality. Thank you soo much. Aunna B. Tuesday, February 09, 2010 11:09 AM Rick H. February 2, 2010 Mr. Kohl; On behalf of myself (who has been greeted in Maine for three different deployments to Iraq) and my Soldiers over the years....I want to extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to you and all your volunteers in Bangor. It is so exceptionally heartwarming to have such a warm and sincere welcoming into the airport before we depart for follow-on missions. In most cases, the Army Soldiers I led went on to combat operations. Unfortunately a few never made it back home alive. It brings me relief that for my Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice, their last impression of American citizenry were your greeters in Bangor. Words can not express my gratitude. Your organization has inspired me to follow your lead and become an active participant in similiar operations when I eventually hang up my combat boots! Thank you and all your volunteers again for the inspiration and warmth provided to the many young men and women that continue their journey onward to uncertain futures and into harms way on behalf of the nation. Very Respectfully; January, 2010 Hello to all of you, We came through the Bangor airport on 1/10/10 and witnessed your greeting our troops. At that time, we were very touched by you being there for our Nation's troops. At that time we donated $20. After reading your "thank you" card and watching "The Way We Get By", $20 was hardly respectful for what you do or what you offer our heros. To this, we ask you to use this additional offering to provide more joy & honor to our troops. Thank you so very much for your hard work. We hope to see you again as we pass through Bangor. Love & respect, Sunday, January 24, 2010 12:43 PM As the mother of a Soldier who has passed through Maine twice on his return home from Iraq (most recently on 1/17), I just want to say "thank you" for what you are doing. Our son said he would call when he got to Maine and he did. He was so happy and I know he felt like he was home when his feet were on U.S. soil again. He and the others really appreciate and looked forward to your meeting them. The families met them when they landed in WI and most said their Soldier had called from Maine. Thank you again. Wednesday, January 20, 2010 7:03 PM Thank you for doing what you do. My brother deployed on 18 January to Afghanistan. It was refreshing to see you all greeting him at Bangor airport and to know that he feels appreciated. Thank you again. 1/18/2010 My son is in new batch of soldiers being sent to Afghanistan to fight against terrorism to keep us safe in the United States. Tonight I received the best call ever. My son was sitting the the airport in Bangor, Maine waiting to get on his next plane and he got to call home due to the program you sponsor to offer free cell phone use to the soldiers. I did not expect to hear from him for a long time and this made me so happy to get to hear from him so soon. It is hard on the US troops leaving and it is a great thing you are doing to assist them and their loved ones left at home to keep in touch. God bless you all and keep up the great work. Sincerely, 1/14/2010 9:09:35 AM I would like to thank the Troop Greeters for what you do! Our son flew through Bangor on Monday evening, Jan 11, en route to Iraq. We were talking to him on the phone when his photo was taken, and bright and early Tuesday morning we were able to download the photo, which is now the wallpaper on both of our computers! We were also able to share it with his wife and grandmothers. What you do means a lot to the troops and their families. With two sons serving in the Air Force and one in the Army Reserves, knowing that there are people like you out there seeing them off and welcoming them back when we can't do it! We look forward to seeing another photo of him when he returns in about six months! Donna J. B. Tuesday, January 12, 2010 10:33 PM Not a question, just a comment. I lived less than two miles from Dows Air Force Base. I remember hearing the B-52s taking off at night. I heard about the movie depicting the Troop Greeters. I have an aunt and cousin who are troop greeters. I would like to thank BIA and the staff for allowing the Troop Greeters to continue what they started. It warms my heart to see we are supporting our troops. I served in the Navy from 1972 to 1976. Thank you again BIA. Mitch B. Sunday, January 10, 2010 10:10 PM Dear friends, I wanted to thank you for the work you're doing at the Bangor Airport with the troops. My nephew (#44) went through there today, on his way to Germany, then Afghanistan. My little sister (his mother) sent me the link and I was able to find his photo there. I haven't seen him in person for over five years, so it was wonderful to see the photo. Thank you again for the work you're doing there. What a wonderful idea! Blessings from Texas... Saturday, January 09, 2010 10:39 PM Hi, My brother deployed to Iraq on January 7th. This is his first deployment. He stopped in Maine and was able to use one of your volunteer's phone to call me, my parents, and his wife. I also now have a picture of him there at the airport from your website. I wanted to express my most sincerest thank you for your work in supporting these troops. It meant so much to me to be able to talk to him (and now see him thanks to your photos) before he left the country. Thank you thank you thank you. Sayre S. Saturday, January 09, 2010 2:56 PM Thank you so much for being there. Our daughter's plane was way-laid there overnight - last night, on her way to Afghanistan for 6 months. Her husband has been in Iraq for 4 months already. We are keeping their 14 month old baby till their return. Hard work for grandparents, and hard on their son, but we're proud of what they're doing. And, we're proud of what you're doing as well. THANK YOU. Linda H. Saturday, January 09, 2010 6:11 AM Thanks so very much for the service you perform in welcoming and encouraging our troops on their layover stop in Maine on their way overseas. We families would love to see them off as they are leaving our shores, but since we cannot, it is a privilege to have patriots such as your volunteers standing in our stead. No matter what time the troops arrive, morning, noon or night, you are there to shake their hands, pat them on the back, lend them moral support, and wish them well. What a blessing it is to know that our brave men and women have you to greet them, and see them off again, as they head off to defend our freedoms. I especially appreciate you taking the time to snap photos and upload them to the internet. Your picture of my husband's smiling face certainly makes me smile, too, and lets me know that he is well. God bless you and every single one of your volunteers! Most sincerely yours, Friday, January 08, 2010 7:54 PM Wow, that's my son! His troop is January 8 2010 12:30am. My son is on page 7 and he means the world us. I wanted to thank you with all my heart for what you do. You give true gifts from the heart. You acts of kindness teaches these soldiers how to show pride and honor as well as receive it. I will always treasure this picture of my son. I will keep it by my side until he returns home. Thank you. Sincerely, Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2010 11:13 AM Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2010 12:25 AM Subject: Thank You! Letters from 2008 |
The Maine Troop Greeters Official Web Site
