BIA throws party in honor of troop greeters

BANGOR – Maine Troop Greeters dance around obstacles nearly every day that could prevent them from welcoming troops at the Bangor International Airport with warm smiles and hugs, but Wednesday evening the greeters were dancing the “twist,” Chubby Checker style.

BIA staff threw a recognition party for the 130 troop greeters who welcome military flights any time of day, or night, and any season, despite harsh Maine weather conditions.

The domestic terminal of the airport was layered in red, white and blue decorations, while a slideshow of photos taken of the greeters over the years was displayed on a large screen. The greeters were treated to a catered meal and received trophies with an eagle perched on top, thanking them for their service to the military community.

Meanwhile, the lyrics of “Proud to be an American” escaped the lips of Bill Knight, a longtime troop greeter, as the patriotic tune rang through the terminal. An hour later, Knight, 84, was dancing in the BIA hall, twisting with his close comrades.

“This party and all is nice, but it’s more fun to meet the troops,” Fred Hardin, 76, of Orrington said. “We don’t greet the troops for the recognition; we’d still come if nobody did this for us.”

For many, Hardin said, it’s the memories and the difference the greeters make in the lives of the soldiers passing through that are the true rewards.

“I remember a guy came through, and on his way out I told him I’d buy him a beer when he comes back if he was allowed to,” Hardin said.

Two years later, the same Marine came through Bangor after his tour of duty, prepared to keep Hardin honest. “It kind of tore me up a bit,” the Korean War veteran said. “I didn’t know how much it meant to him, and to think that maybe the thought of that beer made his life over there a little easier.”

The time Hardin spent in the lounge with that one Marine is just a single story that airport and city officials hear from the relatives and friends of troops who pass through BIA and write letters expressing gratitude.

During the ceremony, Rebecca Hupp, airport director, read a letter from a woman whose son had just passed through BIA on his return from Iraq. “I have yet to hug my son,” she wrote, but she continued, stating her appreciation of the greeters who cared enough to welcome him back to the country.

“You make a huge amount of difference every time a plane lands,” Mayor John Cashwell said during the ceremony; after recalling the difference between his hitchhiking home after arriving in Manchester, N.H., after the Vietnam War, and the reception he got at BIA after Desert Storm. “And I am proud to be your mayor,” he continued.

A civilian group, who were greeted at BIA after their tour on the Predator, sent an American flag to the greeters, which they had carried on the aircraft for 34 combat hours between March 11 and 12 this year. They wanted to express their appreciation of their welcome home.

For as much as the group gives to soldiers today, some greeters recognize they get just as much in return.

“Troop greeting has been a savior for me,” Joanne Black, 69, of Brewer, said. Black started greeting with her husband during Desert Storm and now does it in his memory after his death in 2002.

“I was awake all night and couldn’t sleep, greeting troops gave me something to do,” she said.