Returning troops

A magazine here recently gave very complimentary mention of the welcome in Bangor accorded troops returning from Operation Desert Storm. My wife and I were present one of those days — we lived in Pittsfield then — and we were glad we attended.

The repeat mention called to mind something I saw in Denver when I was one of a troop trainload of soldiers traveling east to Fort Devens after World War II. There was a short layover in Denver to allow a westbound train to go through. The cafeteria in the station was packed with troops wanting any kind of American food after years in the South Pacific.

At that time of day no great amount of business was expected and only two girls were on duty. Also present was a healthy looking civilian who pushed his way to the counter and demanded immediate service. One of the girls stopped long enough to say they had to take care of the servicemen first seeing they were there first. To this the civilian replied, “To hell with them — the war’s over.”

He was ignored, probably because the soldiers were so glad to be back on American soil, which made that the luckiest day of his life. Being a Maine man, I was proud to be part of that event in Bangor and feel a comradeship with those returning troops. Walter L. Bryant Horseshoe, N.C.