Remember the troops serving abroad on holidays

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While many items and issues are the focus of our thoughts this time of year, all of us, I imagine, at some point pause to remember members of our military who are serving at home and abroad during the holidays.

During the past several months, many grateful people have written to the Bangor Daily News expressing appreciation for the efforts of our Maine Troop Greeters who this year surpassed the half-million mark in the number of service members they have met who have passed through Bangor International Airport since 2003.

Today, the day before Christmas, we especially remember those troops and their families who await their safe return.

In July, we received a letter from Dennis and Debby Casida of White Hall, Ariz.

“The plane carrying our son, Chad, and the rest of his squadron to their deployment in Afghanistan stopped in Bangor yesterday to refuel,” they wrote.

“Chad was so moved by the reception that was waiting for them that he called to tell us about it.

“His plane was met by a large group of people including veterans, and they were there to show their appreciation and support,” the parents wrote.

“Chad and his mates were deeply moved by this, and by the stories that were shared with them.

“He said there were vets from WWII and Korea, and their stories made him appreciate the ‘luxuries’ that he would be living in for this tour.

“We are proud of Chad, and his dedication to serving our country. We are deeply grateful to everyone who took their time to give these Navy personnel, who were just passing through, such a wonderful reception.”

Last week, before writing that, I left a voice message at the Casida home, inquiring about Chad’s status. I wanted to be sure he was safe and well.

I am pleased to report Debby Casida returned my message with one of her own.

“Our son is fine,” she said, adding he is “still in Afghanistan. Hopefully, he will be home in February.”

She thanked me for the call, and said, “We appreciate all that the folks in your town do for our military.”

Barbara Holz of Martinez, Ga., wrote us on Aug. 31.

“Our son was one of the soldiers that landed at Bangor International Airport at about 9 p.m. on the night of Aug. 29,” outbound.

“He was so touched by the warm greeting from the Maine Troop Greeters,” Holz wrote, adding that being provided a cell phone enabled him to call home.

“Since his unit flew out of Texas,” his mother explained, “we were not able to give them a send-off here in Georgia.

“That is why it is especially heart-warming for us to have had such a caring response there.

“We are so thankful and appreciative to all who were so kind to our soldiers while they were there.”

Last week, I spoke with Barbara Holz, whose son is deployed overseas.

She told me he, too, is fine, and that his family is eagerly looking forward to his homecoming.

As noted, among the Maine Troop Greeters are veterans of the Korean War.

Olive Benton is secretary of the Greater Bangor Area Burton-Goode-Sargent Korean War Veterans of America Chapter 1.

Benton wrote the BDN that “on Monday, Nov. 12, following the [Veterans Day] parade and the ceremony at the Korean War Memorial [at Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor], 10 of the veterans and associates went to the Ninety Nine Restaurant.”

“We felt very honored as a special lady [who wants to be anonymous] gave a check for $250 to pay for our lunches. We really appreciate her gift.”

Benton added that on the next Wednesday, members of that KWVA chapter, members of Veterans of the Foreign Wars Post 4527 of Orrington and members of the Greater Bangor Area Marine Corps League Detachment 1151 “presented 50 turkeys to help Free the Z.”

The veterans made that gesture, she wrote, because “they like to give back to the communities, as so many people give donations for flags, carnations and poppies.”

Free the Z is an annual program by WBZN 107.3 FM staff members, who work around the clock to raise money or collect turkeys to feed the needy at Thanksgiving.

The calendar year denotes how many turkeys are to be collected, which meant this year they provided 2,007 turkeys.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.