Every flight counts. Read the letters from soldiers and families who have been touched by the Greeters
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Letters to the Editor Seacoast online
May 27, 2009 6:00 AM
Oklahoma military wife thanks Pease Greeters.
To the Editor: As the wife of an active duty Air Force member, I wanted to thank your community, and more specifically the Pease Greeters, for the warm welcome they provided my husband in the early hours of Saturday, May 2. His team left Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City on Friday, May 1, for a four-month deployed tour.
After dropping my husband off at base that Friday evening just more than three weeks ago, I went home to wait, hoping he could call while en route. Thankfully, he called at 3:30 a.m. Saturday morning, letting me know he was safely at Pease/Portsmouth International Airport.
What he said next brought joy to my heart. He told me the Pease Greeters had surprised them when they landed, welcoming his team warmly to New Hampshire with more than 100 individuals. All these people who took precious time out of their schedules to prepare snacks and drinks for them, woke up extra early to ensure they were there when his plane arrived and spent time thanking them for their service to our country.
It gave me great peace to close my eyes again that night three weeks ago and sleep knowing that my husband was in good hands in New Hampshire.From their next stop in Ireland, my husband e-mailed, "The people in N.H. were absolutely amazing. Never have I seen anything like that in my 25 years." What a motivating feeling to take with him as he departed American soil, knowing how grateful your community is of his team's service.
I wanted to say thank you to your community for the time, effort, caring and heart they put into greeting the planes full of military members as they depart for and arrive back home from their deployed locations. Thank you for helping the military members feel the duty they carry out is appreciated.
Pease Greeters, thank you from the bottom of my heart, God bless; and on this Memorial Day weekend, let us not forget those who have gone before and paid the ultimate sacrifice!
Wendy DoncasterOklahoma City5/5/09
CONFESSIONS OF A QUILTER, by Julie Stegna
Last Sunday at 4:30 in the morning, a scene unfolded that has happened many times over the years. Little noticed by people still sleeping soundly in their beds, a large aircraft landed at the former Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth, NH for refueling.
Upon landing, all passengers came into the waiting area. These weren’t just ordinary passengers on their way to vacation spots or business meetings. Over 240 US Army soldiers, on their way to Iraq, were making their last step on American soil for a while. You may think that their arrival may have been a quiet one at that time of morning but that was not the case. The Pease Greeters were on hand to greet them, to let them know that they are supporting them and will be there to welcome them home when they return.There were about fifty smiling Greeters at this flight though they usually have as many as 200. This was the fifth flight in two days and many greeters were home resting in order to meet the upcoming planes the next day.This arrival was special to our family because US Army Private Daniel Bond was on it and this was our chance to see him before he shipped out to Iraq. His parents ( David and Karen) , grandparents (Ralph and Priscilla), girlfriend Samantha, cousin Holly and Aunt Julie were all there to greet him.As most of the soldiers were from Texas and the south, we were the only family there that early morning.After a short list of instructions, the soldiers were guided to a snack and relaxation area. On the way, they walked down a ramp which was lined with the greeters who cheered as they all walked through. It was a human quilt. The center was one body of trained soldiers and they were bordered by veterans and loyal supporters. I have never seen a more beautiful quilt.Later, they were back in the reception area for a group picture which will hang on the wall waiting for their return. This was a moving time as we sang the National Anthem, said a prayer, and listened to Veterans wish them well. Looking upon their faces, we didn’t just see our favorite soldier, as they all became our family. We will send our prayers for their safety along with those for Dan.Serving our country in times of war is a long and proud tradition. Countless families have sent off their loved ones to dangerous regions. Now the long wait begins until they are home again.We can’t thank the Pease Greeters enough for the love and support that they show our troops. We know that there are other groups out there doing the same thing and thanks to them also. If you are able, take in one of these flights. ( go to www.peasegreeters.org ) It is an experience that you will never forget. God Bless our Troops.
4/28/09
Dear Pease Greeters:
I hope this letter finds you all doing well. As you know, I am currently on 6 month deployment to Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The Hospital I's station at is the Largest TRAUMA center in Iraq. Therefore, most of the injured service member in Iraq come through our hospital for treatment and/or evacuation. I work in the Intermediate Care Ward of the hospital, where we have "20 American" beds and "20 Iraqi" beds for Iraqi Police, Iraqi Army and host national patients. The American patients are stabilized at our facility and moved forward to our main hospital in Germany. I am blessed to be in a position to show kindness, compassion, and empathy to our wounded soldiers.
Our Troops are doing an amazing job over here. I am amazed at the level of courage and strength our troops display each and every day. The attitude and morale of our troops is very good. Although I miss my family and friends at home very much, I feel as though I am part of something much bigger and much more important than I realized.
 I am sending the PEASE GREETERS a very special USA Flag, which has been flown at the
332nd EXPEDITIONARY MEDICAL GROUP HOSPITAL, FOR ONE DAY IN HONOR OF THE PEASE GREETERS. I have also sent a special Citation.
This particular flag honors our wounded and fallen soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. It is with great honor and pride that I present the "Gift". Please continue to keep all of our soldiers in your thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Kari M. Stone, Major. USAF, NC
4/27/09
I have arrived! We had a long trip over--Matt dropped me off at about 0545 Thursday and I got to my room here at about 1600 local time. Long day and I am on my last fumes, but glad that part of the journey is over. We are all doing well. We had a tremendous experience that I would love to share with you--our first stop after Robins was Pease in NH. We were told the "Pease Greeters" were going to give us a reception when we landed and to expect a receiving line. Most of us were fighting back the tears--at least 100 people were lined along both sides of the breezeway to thank us for our service. They were young and old--many VFW and their families. Even a woman who had served in WWII in the Navy and was wearing her service dress uniform. A 99 year old woman was there and had knitted 9 helmet liners for us. They had refreshments, phones for free phone calls, gifts, candy, phone cards...we were all stunned. They got us together for a group photo, brought everyone to attention in their group and saluted us. I spoke with one man who said he remembered what happened in Vietnam when the vets were spit on in the airports and streets and he said they vowed that would never happen again and so they started this group. We saluted them back and then we sang the national anthem. They also gave a sweatshirt to the Army and AF troop commanders--the men who gave the sweatshirts had the sweatshirts resting on their backs--they were signed by everyone in the group--the sweatshirts were absolutely covered in signatures--they leaned over to the Maj and Lt Col and said "we want you to know we would give you the shirts off our backs." I just can't begin to describe this event! Just amazing. We were the 32nd rotator to pass through this year and they have met every single one. They have been to see the President and receive his thanks... these people are amazing. I almost felt guilty that I am deploying for such a short time, and in relative safety compared to my brothers on the ground. What a special experience--one that none of us will ever forget. If you ever pass through Pease, look for the 7 EACCS JSTARS patch with the aces playing cards, it's mine and will be under the group photo of us in their memorial hallway. Love to you all!
Michelle Cairns
COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR PEASE GREETERS
The Pease Greeters Care Package Program for our Deployed Troops, would like to thank the Community of New Hampshire for its DAILY support of this Program. We ship packages weekly to the troops and since Sept 2008 we have shipped over 226 cartons and 2,919 pounds of Treats, Hygiene items and fun stuff for the troops and we will continue to do this as long as needed.
A very special Thank You to the many, many Citizens of the community who daily drop off donations and inquire about this program. Thanks to all those who Knit and Crochet hats for our men and woman, over 1200 to date. Also, to the following companies who support us in this endeavor and to those who have allowed community members to drop off items at their business, Seacoast Media Group, Walmart, Rte 1, Timberland Corp, Loco’s Running, Keurig, Service Credit Union, Whaleback Systems, NH Motor Speedway, Geno’s Chowder and Sandwich Shop, WERZ/WHEB, Breakfast Hill Golf Course, Greenland Library, Martinelli’s, Concord Police Dept, NH Asst. Attorney Generals Office, Beefside Restaurant, Penny Press, Pease Tenants Association, Belnap Dental Associates, Tom’s of Maine, Dr. Paul Harvey, Kathleen Gregoire Salon, Coastal Dental, Dr. George, Dr. Osario,G. Willikers, the countless schools, churches in the area, Cub Scouts, Brownies, who have collected items and who make cards to put in the Care Packages, which the Troops LOVE !!!!
There are so many that support us and I apologize if I have missed any of you.
To my team, who are ready, willing and able to pack and pick up donations all over the State, I thank you also for your time and support.
JoAnne Schottler
Care Package Coordinator
63 Winnicutt Road
Stratham, NH
4/20/09
I hope that this email reaches all of you in good health and spirits. I have emailed several individuals from the PEASE greeters and attempted to convey our deepest sense of gratitude for the amazing support your organization has given us from before we even left the United States (Portsmouth, NH), up until the present day.
We are overwhelmed with the amount of Patriotism displayed by stateside organizations for our Soldiers deployed forward. Sometimes the media sends the wrong message to Soldiers with what they publish and broadcast because they tend to highlight those Americans with dissent toward the government, Soldiers, and our current
conflicts in the Middle East.
The truth of it is that Soldiers find their strength from family, friends, and groups like your own, who strive to encourage and raise the morale of those who have been deployed. From the simplest cards to the care packages, it is the gesture in and of itself that reaches the hearts of all of us. I will not, and cannot, compare my experiences with those who have had harder times in more chaotic places and conflicts, but I will speak for them when I say that each flag waving American is a breath of fresh air. I thank you for the kind words in your cards, because they remind me of friends. I thank you for your support, because it reminds me of family. And I thank you for your continued energy and strength, because it reminds me of my better half at home. So I thank you for all you have done.
Respectfully,
Dan Walton
4/04/09
Hello, My name is Spc Steven Giorgi and I came through your airport around march 10th. Thank you very much for what every single one of you did that night. It brought a smile to my face the other day, just thinking about how we were about to take off and there was a group of you standing out in the freezing cold with the flag on the fence waving goodbye. That is what America is all about standing behind our troops no matter what the situation or conditions are. So for that THANK YOU for serving us troops so very well.
2/14/09
All,
THANK YOU for the Valentine care packages I received today. They surely made my day along with others in my shop. I'm overwhelmed to the contents and greatly appreciate what you've done and will share them throughout.Your friend, Fermin Oh by the way, the cards from the kids are my favorites. :-)
2/8/09
From JoAnne, on behalf of the Lady Greeters Care Package group.
As I am in the Troops Care Package Warehouse (formerly my HOUSE), I am overwhelmed with the donations received the past 3 days from all of you. Words cannot express the impact you all going to have on the Troops daily lives. We cannot thank you enough. Again, THANKS, it is a small word but means so much!
2/2/09
I've got to write to let you know what I rec'd in the mail yesterday. It was a letter address to GMC James Kechter & Mrs. Sandra Kechter. I didnt recognize the return address but did notice it was from NH....I opened it & it was a letter wrote by a lady that got my "story" from a Hannaford Supermarket. Her name is Ellen Gibbs-Lejeune. This letter is the sweetest thing I think I have ever seen. She said she donated what she could afford of $25 to your display & that she thinks anyone who goes in harms way deserves all the prayers & good wishes. (which they do) more then we ever know! I couldnt believe that someone would not only donate to the troops but actually take the time to write the spouse. This letter means more to me then I think I will ever be able to show her & how much I really do appreciate it. Im going to write her back this week. I actually had Jim call me so he could hear me read it. This wasnt something I wanted to just email him. God is so good. & all of you up there are true heros in my eyes too. You take the time to support not only the troops but the families left here at home. Again thanks seem so little but I hope you truely know how special you have become to me & all of the peasegreeters. May God continue to Bless each & every one of you.
He loves you & so do I!
Sandra
I recently passed through the Pease terminal on 6th of January. I wanted to thank you two and all of the greeters at the terminal that night, and even the ones that could not make that night. We were all blown away by your reception and hospitality to us for that short time. I know yall do not always get feedback from the deployers, but I do want you all to know you are really appreciated. The plane was buzzing over your program. This being my 5th trip over and having met greeters at other locations, I can honestly say you guys are second to no one!
TSgt. John P. Baxley, USAF
My name is LT Viayra and I am the Medical Officer for 3rd BN 4th Marines. We came through New Hampshire and had the warmest greeting I have ever had in my short 13 years of service. I wanted you to know the warm welcome we received from you will be with me always. Thank you and please never underestimate the impact you have on our service members coming through your city.Thank you for everything. LT DAVID M. VIAYRA
Each and every one of you who touched our hearts in such a special way upon our return home to the USA need to know how appreciative I feel. I will never for the rest of my life forget such beautiful people you are. What class!!! You are our countries finest citizens!!!!!!!!!!! I love you with all my heart.
SSgt Eric J. Schneider
Thank you so much for the 2 boxes of goods I just received!!! I will share them with the other ETT members. Thank you so much for thinking of the US Service Members in deployed locations! It always makes us feel good inside when we know that other citizens of our great and beloved country think of us overseas. Please tell the other Pease Greeters thank you!!!!!
SGT (P) Nick Elder
I just wanted to write all of you back in New Hampshire and say thanks. I cant tell u how much it means to me and everyone else here to get something from the states, it is always nice to know that people back home are thinking about us and care. I know for myself i cant wait to come back home to New Hampshire. Me and my team will finish our mission in July and i should be back in August. It means the world that so many others that take the time out of their lives to do the little things that make it worth it for us.
MA2 Gagnier, Richard, USN
To say, "Thank You" does not even come close to expressing our appreciation for the absolutely first class "Welcome Home" you gave the troops. The text below is from an email I sent out with a few of my photos to friends and relatives.
Warmest Regards,
Russell & Linda Kendall, USAF (Ret)
Well, I've got to start at the beginning. I had been trying all week to find out exactly which port of entry Ryan was going to land at on his journey from Iraq. Ryan called from Romania to say that he was going to enter at the old Pease AFB in Portsmouth, NH!
We got to Pease about 1 hr before Ryan + 180 other soldiers from the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment came into the airport and 'ran the gaulant' of the "Pease Greeters", a group of WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War Vets, their spouses, friends, high school students, little children, and others - - over 200 greeters in all. The music played, there were hugs, hand shakes, smiles, "Welcome Home, Soldier!", "Thank You!" coming from all sides as the tired, bewildered, surprised, ecstatic, and very appreciative soldiers made their way to the free coffee, donuts, as well as a mountain of new stuffed toys (take one for every one of your kids!) and flower bouquets to take to Ft Hood for their families and pocket Bibles.
 Linda saw Ryan first and wrapped her arms around him in a big hug. One woman Greeter told us that it wasn't often that they had a "Kodak Moment" like that, where the parents or wife were actually there to meet the plane.
After everyone was off the plane and had some refreshments, the soldiers formed up for a 'mandatory' group photo. The Pease Greeters have photos of every plane load of G.I.s that came through the gauntlet, starting from the very beginning of their program. As we were led by a high school girl from Phillips Exeter Academy, we all sang The National Anthem. The Pease Greeters gave Ryan a 'Greeters' shirt that was signed by all of the Greeters, that I am sure will end up on in a place of honor at the Regiment. After that, all of the old vets stood at attention and on command, saluted the new generation of warriors. Ryan then brought the soldiers to attention and gave all the folks the 3d Cav Cheer, before boarding their plane and heading off to Ft Hood. It was a very emotional day, one that no one who was there will forget, especially me, Linda, and Ryan.
Remembering my return from my last tour in S.E. Asia, I cannot thank these folks enough for what they did on Sunday. It was a totally selfless act that is repeated by the Pease Greeters many times during the year.
HoooAh!
Russ |
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