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Pease
Greeters
Welcome Returning
Soldiers From Iraq |
Lt. Col. Joe Greeley of
Somersworth, NH piloted 50, B17 bombing raids over Germany before his 21st birthday.
Here, Joe is seen greeting a Boston native as he and his fellow soldiers arrive at
Pease International Tradeport on their way home after completing their tour of duty in
Iraq. Sadly, Joe passed away in the Autumn of 2008 after a brief
illness. He was remembered at one of Pease Greeter flights by his fellow
greeters as an American hero of WW II and as a friend to our modern day heroes
of Iraqi Freedom and our mission in Afghanistan.
The Boeing 737, operated 
by Miami International Airlines, arrived at the former Pease
Airforce Base in Portsmouth, NH recently and was welcome by a throng of greeters know as
the Pease Greeters, formed by the Marine Corp League of the
Seacoast two years ago. The soldiers have time to stretch their legs, refresh themselves, make free phone calls
and visit with the greeters while their plane is fueled before continuing on to their final
US destination.
The returning troops are processed through Customs and then set foot on US soil, many
for the first time in over a year. These men and women, usually more than one hundred, are
now home from the Global War on Terrorism. For those heading overseas, this is their last
stop in the US.
The troops arrive to a boisterous welcome. The Greeters are proud of them and give the
troops hearty applause, sincere handshakes, and expressions of “welcome home or
welcome
to New Hampshire, thanks for a job well done, or we'll be here to greet you upon
your safe return."
Soon they move on to enjoy hot coffee, doughnuts, pizza and other refreshments
on
American Soil. Initially cell phones were freely offered by the Greeters for the troops to
call home with news of their safe arrival.
Early on there were no flags, no signs, no ceremony, but the Marines were new at this
and determined to make a difference. Subtle changes have evolved. Now there are
service flags hanging in that big room that were donated by Veterans Service Groups, (MCL,
DAV, VFW, AL) as well as a large American Flag adding color and meaning. There is a
stand holding three flags that are the first thing the troops see on deplaning and the
last thing they see on boarding.
The Greeters Group has grown from 10 or 12 men and women to over 300, elders
and youths, some w
earing their uniforms, all offering their thanks and greetings for these
heroes. Some offer little American Flags for these brave warriors none of whom refuses the
offer.
Occasionally there are TV reporters and local news reporters gathering stories that will
soon be in print across the region.
The snack room now has a flag posted above the refreshment table. There are
toiletries offered to all for these guys and gals to freshen up and the rest rooms are in
continuous use.
The Cell phones have been replaced with a bank of twenty permanently mounted phones to be
used free of charge exclusively for the veterans courtesy of Whaleback Systems, a company located in the
Pease Tradeport.
There are footballs to throw around while the plane is being serviced. Last winter grown
warriors from Hawaii threw themselves on the snow to make snow angels. For some this was a
first time event. Now all these warriors enjoy the green grass and cool breezes of New
Hampshire. Two days ago those retuning troops were in the suffocating heat and sand of
Iraq or Afghanistan.
Impromptu interviews occur all over the terminal. War stories are told by young and old.
There is a bonding of warriors. There are smiles. This is not like the return from
Vietnam.
To cover the costs of food, the Seacoast Detachment, a nonprofit organization, has
established "THE GREETERS FUND" to collect and distribute monies to be used
exclusively for these returning heroes. The costs run about $300.00 for each plane but any
donation of any amount is gladly accepted and put to good use.
The Greeters have not missed a flight since their inception during the Spring
of 2005. By the Spring of 2009 the Greeters have welcomed over 200
flights. And then there is the picture taking. Everyone has a camera to record this happy event.
It’s amazing that cameras get back to their rightful owners. Often the troops want
pictures of the greeters. They hug Marines and thank them for being there in the wee hours
of the morning or late in the evening. Business cards are exchanged. Friends are made.
The Greeters assemble in an hours notice. Some drive as much as 100 miles to be there.
They are too old to fight but young enough to care. They show respect for the troops and
for their service to our Country.
Before leaving, all gather in the great room for group picture taking. Pictures of the
Heroes Passing Through Pease are posted on the walls of the airport in the hall aptly
named "Hero's Walk".
Before boarding, the troops stand, uncover, and the Chaplain offers a Prayer of Thanks for
their safe arrival and prays for their speedy and safe return to their home and families.
One hundred plus voices say “Amen” in unison. More than one has a tear in his
eye. Then they are gone. Gone home to their families or to fight in the Global War on
Terrorism. They will always remember their welcome by the PEASE Family of Greeters.
On Monday, March 10, 2008 six founding members of the Pease Greeters
attended President Bush in the oval office of the white house to receive
recognition for their mission of greeting troops coming from and going to
overseas assignments. The meeting was arranged by US Senator John
Sununu, R-NH. Following the meeting with President Bush the delegation
of Pease Greeters visited the Pentagon Brief Room. More about the visit
to the Pentagon may be found at Defense.gov.
Karen
Dandurant, of the Portsmouth Herald newspaper, writes in an
article "The Greeters were first organized in the spring of
2005 when they met a group of veterans returning from the Near
East". As members of the Pease Greeters, I, along with my wife Hellen,
can tell you that we are so very proud of the six who represented us and
our fellow greeters. Soldier on, men and women.
Photo Courtesy US Dept. of Defense
Portions of the article taken from peasegreeters.org.
Contributing author and photos - Bob Hersey. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2008 K Troop, 11th ACR, Vietnam, hosted by Bob Hersey.
