BANGOR – Troop greeters met a milestone Wednesday as they welcomed the 400,000th soldier to pass through the Bangor International Airport before or after duty in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The Army enlisted man was given a University of Maine jacket, a hockey stick signed by the UMaine players, and other mementos after his arrival. Sgt. Chris Santiagocolon of Puerto Rico had been stationed in Iraq, Maine troop greeter coordinator Bill Knight said.

The plane carrying Santiagocolon and his fellow soldiers arrived earlier than expected, at 4:50 a.m. Wednesday. Sixteen greeters turned out to meet them.

The greeters are volunteers from eastern Maine who assemble at the airport at any time of day or night to offer a warm welcome or send-off to planeloads of troops headed overseas or flying home. The greeters, who began keeping count in 2003, welcomed the 300,000th member of the military in May.

Over the years, the Greater Bangor Chamber of Commerce has received hundreds of letters from soldiers and members of their families expressing gratitude for the show of support.