On behalf of the Marines of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron One, I would like to thank your community for the warm welcome we received upon arriving at Bangor International Airport on Jan. 28. We were returning to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., after completing a six-month deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and stopped in Bangor for service.

It warmed all of our hearts to see the outpouring of support and gratitude for our service in Iraq by the fine citizens of Bangor. We deplaned at 4:30 a.m. to a warm welcome from the Maine Troop Greeters and were offered cookies from the Sam’s Club bakery and cell phones to call home by Unicel. Being the Marines we are, we held back the tears of joy but all had an emotional response to the pleasant surprise of being greeted so early in the morning and thanked for our service abroad.

Thanks for making our return to the United States pleasurable and memorable. Keep up the good work. Semper Fidelis!

Michael V. Monette

Capt., USMC

Cherry Point, N.C.