Feb. 5, 2008
Dear Mr. Johnson,
My daughter recently deployed for the Middle East with an Air Force unit from Tinker AFB. The first thing she wanted to talk about when she was finally able to contact home was the reception they received at Pease. She was thrilled and honored by the greeting. Her entire unit was pleased with the expressions of support they received.

No being able to see her off ourselves (California is just a little too far away) my wife and I are ever so thankful the send off you gave the airmen. It is wonderful that so many people, so far away, care enough to give freely of their time. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Please pass along my appreciation to all the volunteers who come out to support our troops. Please let them know that they touched the hearts of more than a few airmen that cold January day. They touched the heart of a proud Dad across the country.

God bless you all.

Lee Pollard

January 23,2008
My son, SPC Brian Singer was among the soldiers that were greeted at Pease on January 14. I received a call from him at about 3:30 AM, saying he was at Pease. What wonderful news! And I had no idea that Pease would be their re-fueling stop on their way home to Ft Hood. I live about 20m inutes away in Newmarket!

Several hours later, when I was awake & wondering if I had really gotten the call, or had just been dreaming, I found an e-mail and a wonderful photo from Debbie Paul. It was wonderul.

The following morning I was able to talk with my son. He had safely at home & re-united with his wife & children. He said the experience at Pease was a wonderful surprise. He & his buddies were so appreciative of the reception they were given by the Pease Greeters. The whole process was, in his words "perfect" The Dunkin Donuts coffee was great, but most of all heappreciated the low-key, genuine, warm contact he had with the greeters. And when they boarded the plane & found the gifts of chocolate & headsets he and his buddies was blown away.

Thank you so much for your dedication in supporting our military personnel! I believe that those of you who have served in the military are the ones who really know what its like to come home & you are providing what you know is needed. As I mom, I am profoundly grateful.

Gloria Singer
Newmarket, NH

Thanks for the photos! Thanks also to Bose and Lindt for their generosity by providing us with headphones and chocolate!

As we say in the Air Force: "May God bless you all with clear skies and a strong tailwind in all your endeavors!"

Your Guardians of Freedom,
Lt Col Darren Roach, USAF

Members of the military serve this country and our citizens not for glory or recognition but because they feel it is the right thing to do. That makes
it all the more significant when a group such as yours takes the time and makes the effort to acknowledge them. Your efforts made David's homecoming very special. My husband and I thank you.

Marsha Holm

December 21, 2007
Ed Johnson: His Relevance in Our Community

Irrelevance is a condition which sadly afflicts all too many senior citizens. It is often associated with letting life pass one by without exercising God- given talents.

Ed Johnson, the founder and director of the Pease Air Terminal Greeters is a shining example of what is to be relevant. The Greeters marshal 80 to 280 at any time of day or night when troops deploy to or return from combat zones in our war against terror.

Few can match Captain Ed Johnson’s accomplishments in service to our nation. As a young man he was awarded the Silver Star by the U.S.M.C. for heroism during the Korea War. Now, at a time of life when age prevents him from active service, he has devoted his life to the well being of our young warriors.

At our Pease Greeters Annual Christmas Party, as I observed his commanding presence and reflected upon what he has accomplished. For tens of thousands, Ed’s organization provided lasting memory our warriors will never forget of love, appreciation, and heartfelt well wishes upon leaving from or returning to American soil. For the greeters, he provided a meaningful form to express their gratitude to those who are putting themselves at risk on our behalf. And last but not least, the Pease Greeters provide an incalculable enhancement of troop morale--a critical element in assuring our final victory.

Last Spring I had the pleasure of a vacation in Hawaii. While at Hickam Air Base I was offered a ride from a passing motorist. When I told him I was from Portsmouth N.H., he never stopped talking about the reception his wife received upon her arrival at Pease when returning from Iraq. I mention this, as I am sure it is symbolic of tens of thousands of stories being told around the world about the Pease Greeters. Without Ed’s leadership these memories would not be part of the history of countless families and communities throughout America.

For me personally Ed helped me get over my Irish Alzheimer’s affliction-- I can forget almost anything except my grudges. My first return from Vietnam I was medically evacuated incased in plaster from my armpits to the toes of my left foot. The second return was more painful. My last few months in country were exceptionally difficult and I was grateful to be alive. Though proud of my service I was delighted to be on my way back home. That home coming was marred within minutes by ugly insults at my home town airport. Many in America had bought into the notion that our military were nothing better than Genghis Khan Style baby killers. Honoring our young warriors for their selfless and noble service has been a grand cathartic. I thank Ed for helping me and other Vietnam veterans heal long festering old wounds—wounds we have carried for decades.

Captain Edward Johnson’s accomplishments mark him as being truly exception and anything but irrelevant despite his being even five years older than yours truly.

James J. Reilley
LTC USA (RET)

December 12, 2007
Letter from the Norwegian Consolate
Click on the letter to read

October 14, 2007
Thank you so very much to the PEASE Greeters who are at the Portsmouth Airport this morning for the flight of soldiers coming in on their way to Iraq!! Our son called overcome with gratitude and deep pride in his fellow countrymen who took the time this morning to warmly welcome the Screaming Eagles as they await a new plane for their journey overseas. He was awed by your support and kindness.
We are so thankful for your welcome. This gives us greater strength during this most challenging of times in our family.
Thank you...Thank you...
May God Bless You All!
Jan and Lloyd Sohl

October 14, 2007
I would like to thank all of you for your support,my name is Sgt kelly we came in last week from ca army national guard,with a bunch of marines, i never felt so proud that morning when we meet you guys,we never expected that to happen caught all of us off guard,nice surprize,everyday for a whole year that i was in iraq,you guys made me feel all was worth it keep doing what you are doing and god bless you all thank you.
Sgt. Richard Kelly

October 3, 2007
First, thanks from myself and all the soldiers of 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, for your welcome to us at Pease this morning. It means so much to all of us to know so fully that we are home and safe, and to know that our work is appreciated by those we work for. It is especially good to know that we are part of a common military heritage, so thanks to all the veterans who make a point of greeting the newest generation of soldiers on their return. We have completed our return, and we are now enjoying a few days of rest before we return to work, and start down the road to our next deployment.
Second, a particular thanks to the veterans of our Division; although we no longer hold the line in Korea as they once did, I hope that they can take pride in the fact that as the Army's Stryker Division, we still stand in the front lines of this war. I really enjoyed have a few moments to swap stories with a few of the men from 2ID.
Lastly, since you shared stories with us, I thought I'd send a few of mine from this war. I collected all the letters I sent to my family and friends, and I'd like to think that they give an idea what we do over in Iraq. We each have our own stories, of course, but I'd like to think mine are generally true of the men in my company.
Again, thanks for the trouble you go through to greet us, it means more than you can imagine to us!
2LT Mike Hoffman
B/5-20 Infantry Battalion
3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division
Fort Lewis, Washington

September 28, 2007
I want to tell you that it meant the world to us to have you all there to greet us. The whole thing was just amazing! We all felt very humbled by the experience and I truly can express what it meant to us.
Thank you again for your support and love! I can speak for all of us when I say we have never experienced anything like it before! It was a truly amazing feeling! Part of the group we deployed with didn't make it on our flight and I heard they didnt go through NH. I felt badly that they didnt get to experience the welcome we had.
Thank you again,
Capt Michele Golec USAF

Sept. 25, 2007
Thank you so much for the very special send off you gave my son, Casey Carpenter, and all the other men and women in the military on their way to Iraq, in New Hampshire Sept. 25th. He was very touched by all your support!!! I'm very proud of my son, he wants to make a difference. I want this war to end and my son to come home safely!
Thank you so much.
Casey's mom
Carol Carpenter