If you deployed during the GWOT era, chances are, you had the opportunity to go through Bangor, Maine. The international airport there had a steady flow of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines always coming through their concourse. Waiting for them was the love of a nation. Men and women, some veterans, some civilians, all with love in their hearts. They didn't want one single service member to feel uncared for as this would either be the first welcome home, or the last piece of American ground they'd touch.Young men and women departing the United States, either on their first or umpteenth deployments, Bangor was always a welcome home away from home. The people of Bangor made it their personal mission to ensure there was love shown to these adolescents, some of whom would never see American soil again.When returning, and the burdens of war were obvious...the men and women of Bangor, Maine ensured there was a friendly face to let the weight of war slip from the young warfighters shoulders for even one instant, one moment of peace amid the burden they now bear.The men and women who volunteer their time, their kindness, they are the epitome of what this country looks like. Not once did we hear a disparaging word. If they had different opinions, ideas or ways of doing things, we certainly weren't privy to or made aware of it.We use many words in the military to describe units, to talk about how they serve with honor and humility. Quiet professionals, consummate professionals, guardians of honor...we're going to go out on a limb here and say that the volunteers and citizens who flood the airport everytime troops pass through are all of that and then some.Made up of all people, a true representation of our melting pot culture, diverse, and unique to our country, they put kindness above all else and show our men and women in uniform the love of a nation.

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