Answering the call of duty, again
Veterans salute returning troops
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. -- Charles Nichols never went to bed Tuesday night. The twice-wounded 80-year-old veteran of World War II sat in his home in Eliot, Maine, afraid he might sleep too late.
Nichols wanted to make sure he was on hand to greet a Marine Corps detachment when it first set foot on American soil after a six-month deployment to Afghanistan.
So shortly after 3 a.m. he hopped into his Mazda and drove the 20 minutes to Pease International Tradeport, a former Air Force base that is now the site of several returning military flights.
When the chartered
''I feel it's my duty. There were people there to greet me when I returned home," said Nichols, who wore South Pacific campaign ribbons on his chest
As the dozens of leathernecks in camouflage uniforms milled about the terminal, and chatted in groups, the unusual welcoming committee thanked them for their service with pats on the back and hearty handshakes. They also served doughnuts, coffee, and soft drinks, and offered them their own cellphones to call home, when each of the free phones supplied by a local company were in use.
It has become a regular event.
During the past year an assortment of Portsmouth-area veterans groups representing all service branches have met about 15 flights and greeted about 1,800 servicemen and women from all branches of the military who served in Afghanistan and Iraq.
''It's heartwarming," said Pease Airport manager Kim W. ''Bill" Hopper, who also makes it a point to greet the returning military, this time at 4 a.m. ''It never gets old," he said. ''No matter what time a flight comes in the veterans make sure that there is someone here to greet them."
Cherie Monnell, a Marine veteran from Cape Neddick, Maine, was among those welcoming the returning troops. She said she served on Parris Island as a trainer during the Vietnam War and was once spat on when antiwar sentiment was high. ''No one should be treated like that."
Monnell said she wanted to make sure the returnees knew their service is appreciated. She said the servicemen and women sometimes have tears in their eyes. ''It's worth it for the looks on their faces alone."
This flight was no exception. Many of the Marines seemed touched by their elderly honor guard.
One of the Marines on the flight, Master Sergeant Jack Sheaffer, said he was surprised by the welcome. ''I served in Vietnam and I know what it's like to not be appreciated," said the 56-year-old, who is based in Quantico, Va., and serves as adviser to the detachment. ''I think there's a wave of patriotism sweeping the country that some of the younger Marines might not appreciate, but I certainly do."
Ed Johnson of Rye, N.H., a Korean War veteran and commandant of the Seacoast Detachment of the Marine Corps League, a group of retired Marines, said when the veterans first began greeting the troops there were only two or three of them involved, but now as many as 40 or 50 are on hand when the flights arrive. The early-morning arrival time kept yesterday's contingent to a dozen. He said that in addition to the Marine Corps League, local chapters of the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion have become involved and have donated service flags that hang in the terminal to greet the troops.
He said at first the veterans let the servicemen use their personal cellphones, but now Whaleback Systems, a Portsmouth broadband service provider, has donated a bank of telephones that the returning troops can use to call home free of charge.
Tuesday morning about a dozen phones were in constant use. Stephen Lalchan, a Marine from Long Island, N.Y., took advantage of the service to call his mom. ''I woke her up and talked to her for 10 minutes, " he said. ''She knew I was coming home this month, but not exactly when. She was very happy."
Johnson said it cost the veterans about $250 for each troop visit, with the cost going to refreshments. They have begun soliciting sponsors to defray the expenses. Tuesday's greeting was sponsored by Exeter Hospital. Amy Litterini, coordinator of the hospital's cancer Wellness Center, represented the facility and brought along her golden retriever puppy Maggie, who had Marines queuing up to pet her.
As the 6 a.m. departure time neared, the Marines and veterans assembled for a group photograph to be hung in the terminal. A chaplain said a prayer and the Marines and veterans joined in singing the Marine Corps Hymn.
The elderly veterans formed a reception line by the jetway and shook hands as the Marines boarded.
The last Marine to board, a strapping guy with a broad smile, stopped and gave one of the veterans a hug.
Despite being awake throughout the night, Nichols was not ready to call it a day. He and his buddies were discussing where to have breakfast as the plane pulled away from the gate. 