The Maine Troop Greeters were formed in 2003. Since that time, they're greeted more than 7,000 flights carrying nearly 1.5 million service members.
For National Armed Forces day, the Troop Greeters honored veterans from the Korean War by giving them the welcome home they never received decades ago.
"I'm 82-years-old, but I feel like I'm 18 today!"
Donald Smith is a Congressional Medal of Honor nominee.
He's one of the more than sixty Korean War veterans honored during a National Armed Forces celebration at Bangor International Airport on Saturday.
"Oh, i'm enjoying every minute of it. I'm thankful to the people because it's a welcome we never received," Smith said.
These veterans -- of what's been deemed "the forgotten war" -- did not receive a warm welcome when they returned to the United States in 1953.
Maine Troop Greeters believe every soldier deserves to be welcomed home.
Cheryl Lare, Community Relations Director for the Maine Troop Greeters, said, "They were really surprised that we wanted to pay tribute to them. Some cried and said really for us?"
Walking through the International Arrivals corridor, the Korean War vets were greeted with applause and handshakes from Troop Greeters and other veterans. It was a thank you some of the vets never thought they'd receive.
"Some of them as they were coming down, they had tears in their eyes as we were shaking their hands. That is just so meaningful I think. It warms your soul for sure, it certainly does. It's fantastic," said First Lady of Maine, Ann LePage.
One generation of soldiers then shook hands with another -- as active duty military troops came through the corridor from an arriving flight.
"They're keeping us free. They're leaving their families and going over and doing this for us. So you can't say thank you enough," Lare said.
The Maine Troop Greeters have an extensive collection of challenge coins at the BIA. They had special Korean War challenge coins made for today's honored veterans and each veteran received a coin as a small token of appreciation.
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Korean War Veterans are honored by Maine Troop Greeters
Author:Katharine Bavoso ComeFrom:wcsh6.com Date:2014/5/20 2:45:19 Hits:1640
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