Concerning “Troop greeters banned from handing out food” (BDN, June 20), I doubt a single soldier headed over to Iraq or coming home thinks, “Man, I can’t believe I didn’t get a piece of Debbie Bickford’s fudge!” No, that soldier leaves Bangor International Airport thinking, “Wow, Debbie Bickford made me smile, even laugh, and feel really appreciated!”

The writer did a disservice to the troop greeters, BIA and its staff, and the vendors who have had to go into damage control mode because of public outcry.

Over the past four years, we have become like one well-oiled machine, which occasionally might need a tune-up. BIA directors are the drivers, the troop greeters its passengers. The article was like an annoying back-seat driver. End of story.

The real story that Tuesday afternoon was staring the reporter in the face. Posted on the troop greeters’ door for all to see was a letter from a mother of a young soldier who recently went through Bangor on his way to Iraq. She wrote to thank everyone for making her son feel so appreciated, cared for and loved. She was eternally grateful for the photo taken of him at BIA because it would be the last. Shortly after arriving in Iraq he was killed. She didn’t mention anything about him not getting a cookie. Bittersweet, isn’t it?

Debra Daniels

Bangor