It was a quiet month for the Greeters with only two flights but they weren't without there drama!
2/12/08
MARINES MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT PEASE
A plan transporting about 300 Marines from the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Alpha & Bravo Company on its way to Camp Pendleton, Calif., had to make an emergency landing in Portsmouth on Monday morning. The plane was originally scheduled to land in Bangor, Maine, for fuel, but high winds caused problems with the plane's flaps and the plane was diverted to Pease International Tradeport at about 3 a.m.

The Marines had just completed a seven-month tour of duty in Iraq. Among them were some surprised locals and Jim McCain, the son of GOP presidential hopeful, Arizona Sen. John McCain.

While some Marines spent the layover getting some much needed rest and relaxation throughout the terminal, others made phone calls to family members and some even got to see their loved ones up close and personal.

Nancy and Joe Assenza, Sr. along with their daughter, Jennifer, made a special trip to the tradeport after receiving word that son, Lance Cpl. Joe Assenza, was on the flight. The Assenzas surprised Joe by bringing along his golden retriever, Sunny.

Lance Cpl. Robert Sullivan, 24, of West Roxbury, Mass., was also on the plane and waited in nervous anticipation to see his parents, along with his two sisters later in the day.

Having served in the Al Anbar Province in the Western region of Iraq, Sullivan served as a machine-gunner and a radio operator for Bravo Company, 2nd Platoon. It is also his second, seven-month deployment as a Marine.

As maintenance crews worked to repair the plane, the Pease Greeters sprung into action at the moment's notice and made sure that all of the service men and women were properly fed and entertained. The troops were provided with food, refreshments and toiletries. Most of the food given to the troops was donated by local Wal-Mart Superstores both in Newington and Portsmouth. "It's amazing what they do for us overseas," said Jesse Slater, a manager at the Superstore in Portsmouth. "This is our way of thanking them." Donations from Lindt Chocolate and Frito-Lay and several other local businesses poured in throughout the day. Troops were also given Bose headsets.

Before the troops depart at 4 am Tuesday morning, the Greeters will hold a closing ceremony saluting them for their hard work and a picture will be taken to eventually be hung in the Hall of Flags, located in the terminal.


Troops enjoy a tableful of food provided by Super Wal-Mart in Portsmouth.
(Aaron Leclerc/Staff photographerFoster's Daily Democrat)