Bangor troop greeters honored in Greenville

GREENVILLE – Those faithful men and women who have made it their job to greet incoming military flights at Bangor International Airport to express their support and thanks to America’s armed forces had the tables turned on them Friday.

Instead of standing inside the airport applauding an incoming planeload of military personnel, the troop greeters found themselves standing before their peers amid applause.

The troop greeters were the guests on Friday of the Cecil R. Cole American Legion Post 94 in Greenville and the Moosehead Marine Museum.

The two organizations, along with some help from A.E. Robinson Oil Co. and Cyr Bus Lines, feted the troop greeters as well as volunteers of the Cole Land Transportation Museum to a dinner, a short ceremony and a cruise on the steamboat Katahdin.

“It sure is a surprise to us to have such a turnout,” Bill Knight, 84, organizer of the troop greeters, said Friday of those gathered around the Katahdin for the ceremony.

Knight, a veteran with more than 32 years of military service, began volunteering as an airport greeter during Operation Desert Storm and he never stopped.

He tirelessly coordinates the volunteer greeters, who provide military personnel stopping at BIA from overseas deployments with hugs, snacks, and cellular telephones so they can make a free call to loved ones.

On Friday, Greenville Town Manager John Simko and local Legion Commander Pete Johnson gave a hearty welcome to the 92 troop greeters and Cole museum volunteers who made the trek to Greenville by bus.

Proclaiming the day as “Bangor Troop Recognition Day,” Simko said all Greenville residents joined with the Legion in recognizing and celebrating the contributions of the troop greeters, who express the public’s gratitude for the service and sacrifice of members of American’s armed forces.

Cole museum volunteers were recognized for their “faithful and dedicated allegiance to the ideals of Americanism, patriotism, and superior citizenship.”

U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, who attended the ceremony and cruise, said he had met people from throughout the country who have conveyed their thanks for the well wishes and treatment their servicemen and women received from the Bangor troop greeters.

“It’s important we never forget what our men and women have done for this country,” Michaud, a Democrat, said. “Freedom is not free.”

Michaud also thanked Cole museum workers for letting people know what it means to be an American.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins sent a prepared statement that extended her thanks to the Greenville Legion and the Moosehead Marine Museum for their “thoughtful gesture” in providing the cruise for troop greeters and museum volunteers.

State Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville, presented legislative sentiments to both the troop greeters and the museum volunteers.

While the troop greeters have gained worldwide recognition, the thank yous heard on Friday warmed their hearts.

“It feels wonderful,” a humbled Knight said after the ceremony.

Roger Begin of Brewer said he appreciated the act of kindness shown on Friday. “I think it’s very nice and very appreciated,” he said.

Begin and his wife, Lillian, have been greeting the troops for about nine months and enjoy every minute of it. Begin said he appreciated the service provided by military personnel and greeting them at the airport was one way to show it.

Tom Kohl of Brewer, who along with his wife, Anne, also has been greeting troops for about nine months, called Friday’s thank you event kind of “embarrassing” because he said he personally found greeting the troops “incredibly rewarding.”

“We’ve met some great people [from] all over the country,” he said.