300,000th Soldier Met By Maine Troop Greeters

Posted By Blackfive

This is an amazing milestone.  The unbelievably wonderful people of Bangor, Maine, have greeted over 300,000 troops as they pass through Bangor Interational Airport.  The article below was sent by an anonymous reader:

Welcome, 300,000th: Georgia soldier helps Bangor International Airport troop greeters mark milestone
                Friday, May 12, 2006 - Bangor Daily News

Even though the frosting on the cake provided by the Maine Troop Greeters stuck to the roof of Spc. Carlos Smith's mouth when he tried to exclaim his title as the 300,000th member of the military to be welcomed at the airport, he was still all smiles Thursday evening, excited to be back on American soil and home in time to celebrate his son's fourth birthday.

"I saw all the people out here clapping, and I just started smiling," Smith said of the reception he received from the nearly 50 troop greeters and bystanders at Bangor International Airport as they welcomed the unit home. "It's so nice to see people who appreciate what you're doing."

Smith, 28, of Alamo, Ga., was pulled from the line formed by members of the 269th Signal Company out of Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista, Ariz., as they filed from the international terminal.

He was recognized as the 300,000th soldier to be welcomed at the airport with the group's warm applause, hugs and well wishes. This was Smith's second tour overseas, and he recently had spent six months in Kuwait...

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Residents of Maine have been welcoming troops home from the middle-east as they first touch down on U.S. soil at Bangor International Airport since early 2003. As of today, theyve greeted just over 300,000 American men and women returning home f... [Read More]

Comments

[Beth* A.]

Terrific! The people of Maine, and this whole country, should be proud of those voluteers for doing the right thing and making these soldiers feel as special as they truly, truly are. Great news!

[Sapper Mike]

The people of Bangor did this as well during Desert Storm. Our flight landed for us to clear customs prior to flying on to Charleston. As we deplaned, we were mobbed by cheering citizens. The three Vietnam Vets were completely and utterly speechless. The tears were flowing though. As we got back on the plane a few hours later, one of them said "Now why couldn't this have happened in '70?"

These folks are definitely something special.

Sapper Mike

[Wild Thing]

I love stories like this. I wish this was happening all across America. Thank you so much for telling us about this.

God bless our awesome troops! And a big thank you to the people of Bangor, Maine.

[Tex]

I had the high privelege of joining the greeters on Friday, May 5th at about 3:15PM. A plane load of soldiers arrived in Bangor just before shipping out to Iraq. Without exception, it was the greatest experience since watching my first child born 22 years ago. I still brag about the experience. All my friends and family have heard the story at least once. They better get used to it.
I recommend the experience to everyone- to look directly into the eyes of someone who very well may be killed in a foreign country in the service of ours is just about the most humbling thing I have ever experienced.
While standing in line, greeting the soldiers, I overheard the "regulars" applaud and welcome a long line of troops. Though doing this for 3 years, each one was as sincere to the first soldier as they were to the last.
I am so proud and grateful to have had this opportunity to rub shoulders with the best of America- the soldiers and greeters. Next time you are anywhere near Bangor- stop in to the airport- close to town, and easy parking. You will be a better person for it. I know I am.