Bangor troop greeter honored posthumously by lawmakers

AUGUSTA – Margery M. Dean of Columbia Falls and Bangor was honored with a Legislative Sentiment today for her dedication to greeting returning troops at the Bangor International Airport. Dean died April 1 after falling ill on her way to greet the troops.

Presented by Rep. Patricia Blanchette, D-Bangor, and co-sponsored by the entire Bangor legislative delegation, the sentiment paid tribute to Dean who, along with her husband, William, greeted nearly 350 flights in the last year, at all times of day and night.

“This is a woman who brought great joy to hundreds of servicemen and servicewomen touching U.S. soil for the first time, simply by welcoming them home,” said Rep. Blanchette. “She displayed patriotism and kindness that will not be forgotten.”

Former state Rep. Charles “Dusty” Fisher of Brewer, also a troop greeter, had become friends with Dean over the past year.

“She was a great motivator,” said Fisher. “Times when I thought it was too late to run over, I’d think of her. She was confined to a wheelchair and it never stopped her from making it in more than 300 times to greet her ‘boys.'”

A ceremony is being planned at the airport to honor Dean and other troop greeters for their dedication and patriotism.