Intrepid Maine troop greeters age along with wars

[unhappycamper]

Intrepid Maine troop greeters age along with wars
By DAVID SHARP
Associated Press Writer
Nov 10, 10:13 PM EST

BANGOR, Maine (AP) -- Jerry Mundy rarely misses an opportunity to extend his hand and offer thanks to young soldiers and Marines returning home, or departing for the war zone, during their brief layovers at the nation's easternmost major airport, a refueling hub for military transports.

Even when jolted out of bed in the middle of the night, Mundy and other volunteers have answered the call to greet each and every flight since the war in Iraq in 2003. They never figured troops would still be streaming through Bangor International Airport six years later.

"I'd give it up tomorrow if I could, but I won't give up until they're done - or I'm done - whichever comes first," the 74-year-old retired Marine said.

Mundy is one of three senior citizens showcased in a documentary about Maine's troop greeters that will be shown for a national audience for the first time on PBS on Veterans Day.

Filmmakers Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly got the idea for "The Way We Get By" after accompanying Gaudet's mother to greet soldiers at 2 a.m. in December 2004.


Rest of article at: http://ap.stripes.com/dynamic/stories/U/US_VETERANS_DAY_TROOP_GREETERS?SITE=DCSAS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT