Inside PBS Blog

How can we support the troops in our own town?

Hi there,
Can not wait to see this documentary. My question, what was the length of time you were shooting for and how long did it take to cut this all together? I know that's technically two, but go on.

Thanks a lot!

Hi Aron --

I loved this documentary when it was shown in Chicago. One thing I didn't ask, but has kind of stuck in my head is this -- how hard was it to keep any kind of politics out of this film, especially considering the heartfelt feelings on both sides of the debate about whether to be at war in Iraq and Afghanistan?

I know your mother is one of the seniors featured in this film. How was it to work with her?

I love the comment you made about not being able to reach her and when you finally got her she said "you should have called my cell." When did Mom get a cell?

You must be very proud.

Incredible film. I have thought about these folks many times since I saw the doc. How do Joan's grandchildren fair now?

THanks!

Do you know that this type of seeing the soldiers off was also done during WWII? In North Platte, Nebraska the townspeople would meet the troop trains passing thru (day or night) and give food to the soldiers. It is written up in a book called "Once Upon a Town".

Hi,
Incredible story and inspiring.
With regards to Bill and all of those pets.
What happened to all the cats and especially that sweet little dog.

It was heartbreaking to see the situation he had gotten himself into both medically and personally.
Thank you.
Victoria

Touching and inspiring. Makes me proud to be an American, and a Mainer. Bless all those who give their time and hearts to our troops.

I would like to know how Bill, Joan and Jerry are doing now. Also, if it would be possible to contact them. They are all such wonderful people-they are an inspiration.

Is there anything we can do to help Bill, Joan, and Jerry? I think it's their turn to be supported.

I find Joan, Bill and Jerry very inspirational in the time and emotion they put into making these troups feel appreciated and loved. It's a wonderful thing they do and has inspired me to give my time volunteering. It is so important that we support and help each other. It seems they may need some support and help as well. I would like to know how to send them a message.

Thanks,
Megan

Thank you for such a wonderful piece. It truly was a profound experience. It made me think deeply about volunteerism, how we treat our elderly, supporting our troops, and how the troops' families are affected. Speaking of ripple effect, I'm a teacher in a school of 1000 and promise that something will be done in appreciation of the troops as a result of your film.
I lost my WWII vet grandfather (Ironically, of prostate cancer that moved to his ribs) 2 years ago. He was go, go, go until he died at 93 years old. He definitely understood and lived with the quote "you rust out before you wear out" in mind.
He had to bury his wife in 1950, 2 young children, a grandson, and an adult child (my dad) before he passed. That brings to mind your mom's quote that 'you do what you have to do, and look back on it and wonder how you did it.' Thank you for helping me connect with my grandfather even though he is gone. And thanks for giving me some sort of emotional buzz?!?!? Oh, a question...do you know what the heck I'm talking about when I said you gave me an emotional buzz? Thank you, good luck, and keep it up.

Oct 31st and Nov 1st, 2008 I drove to Bangor from Augusta Maine to see two troop flights arrive enroute to Iraq. My husband and I had retired from Lawton Oklahoma, me from the Lawton Police Department and my husband from Cameron University in Lawton a year earlier and had moved to Maine. Many of the officers on the force are Military veterans and many are in the National Guard, 1st of the 158th Battalion out of Lawton. One flight arrived on Oct 31st and I was able to greet 5 of my former co-workers and friends from Lawton en-route to Iraq, with the Maine Troop Greeters. On Nov 1st I drove to Bangor again and met the 2nd flight with more of my friends and co-workers from Lawton. It was so good to see them,one co-worker from the Lawton Police Department, Cliff B, was on his 4th or 5th trip back to the war and I was seeing him off to war or back from war for the 4th time since Desert Storm. Another friend going over to Iraq with the group was Jed M, I saw his father Keith (also a Lawton Police Officer) off to war during Desert Storm, also with Cliff B. It was good to see my friends after a year and it was also poignant knowing where they were headed. There were State Troopers from Oklahoma in the group along with Law Enforcement personnel from other agencies as well. I met most or all of the Maine Troop Greeters and was so impressed with their dedication and their determination to meet every troop transport flight and greet every troop. I saw the difference the Troop Greeters made and can say without a doubt it is all done out of respect and admiration and with the desire to just let these young men and women know they are loved by us, Americans. I heard them say to every troop as they walked up the ramp to re-board the plane, "God Speed, See you when you get back." Sometimes the Troops would turn around for another short lingering look, sometimes a small last wave, but always with a smile on their faces as they headed off to war.

I was very moved by this wonderful documentary, and proud of these warm & caring Mainers. Bill, Joan & Jerry are an inspiration for us all and do us Mainers proud. I do hope that Bill is ok, and still greeting the troops. Please update us on their situations, as I find myself really caring about them & their well-being.

We know from the (very great) film that Joan has a strong family support... However, we're concerned at the loneliness and health of Bill & Jerry! Is anything being done to help them? It's long overdue...

My parents and their families are from Bangor, Maine. I was born in Bangor, Maine and lived in that area until I was 11 years old. In the past eight years my sisters and I have sadly buried both my parents in Bangor. While attending both their interments, our families stayed at the Bangor airport hotel. We witnessed the arrival and departure of troops each time and were in awe, admiration, and appreciation of the seniors who showed up to support these arrivals and departures. This film was so moving and brought back so many memories for me. I was hoping that I could get in touch somehow with Bill, Jerry or Joan. I can't help but think they might have known my parents, especially my father who served in the army during World War II. My heart goes out to Bill and Jerry for their loneliness, loss of a beloved pet (which I have also experienced recently), the questioning of what we are living for when we are alone and facing a major illness (which I have also experienced) and also,as with Joan, the soul searching when a beloved family member enlists to participate in a conflict that one is not sure why we are involved in and wonder if the life of a loved one is worth the sacrifice. This film brought back powerful memories and emotions. I feel almost certain that in the somewhat smaller, very close knit community of Bangor, that Bill, Jerry, or Joan might have grown up with my parents. I would love to correspond with them if possible. Thank you.

When my son was on his way to Iraq with his Army unit the first time he deployed, he was really impressed with the greeting they got in Bangor. The second deployment he was sent through Atlanta and they were really disappointed that they would miss the Bangor group. These people mean the world to our troops. Thank you so very much for what you do for them all. It certainly made me, as a Mom, feel better knowing that someone gave him that last hug as he left U.S. soil. God bless you all.
Karen Clark
Proud Army Sgt.'s Mother

Who pays for all the cell phones in Bangor? Can we help with that? What can we do for the Bangor 3? Please let me know where I can send a card at least.
Karen Clark

A thank you to Bill, Joan and Jerry. I was quite touched with everyone's story and how great they thank the troops. And yes, I want to know how I can help Bill Knight.

After this show ended I had to listen to "Hard Sun". Special thanks to all the service men and women.

WOW! Emotionally moving. These Americans make me so proud to be an American! Just like so many of the other posts, I ask,"What can I do to help?" (not only the troops), but in support of,(Bill, and the other Seniors in this film)who selflessly give of themselves,to honor and acknowledge those who defend our freedom, 365 days a year,24 hours per day,60 minutes of every hour! I am myself, the daughter of a Veteran, and recognize how every day, we as Americans forget and take for granted, all that we have or are, we owe to these Courageous Americans! Thank You Aron Gaudet for having the compassion and "guts", to show the real "Stars", that make this country! Bravo! You, too are a Hero in your own right! Thank You!

I just happened to tune into PBS this evening and I'm so glad I did. This documentary has changed my outlook on life in general. All 3 of the greeters touched my heart but Bill had the strongest effect on me.

** Please let us viewers know how we can contact Bill & Jerry in particular. ** Those 2 don't appear to have the strong support system that Joan has.

Bravo to the filmmakers and God Bless Bill, Joan, Jerry and the Maine Troop Greeters.

yes, I want to ask about Bill also... I just watched the film tonight and he is completely on my heart! I sobbed and sobbed and sobbed at his words and just wanted to befriend the man and help him out. Aron, please tell us that through this, people are helping him? He just seems so overwhelmingly lonely plus has so many needs with his house, etc. awww how I wanted to jump into the screen and hug him!

What a heartwrenching film on so many levels.
I volunteer at a hospice here in Calgary Canada, but after watching this PBS film, I will volunteer at the local Veterans Care Home also. It breaks my heart to see elderly people suffer and cry hopefully I can provide some comfort and support.
Thank you for this emotionally driven film. Well done!

June

As a military spouse, my husband and I were deeply touched with the service the volunteers do every single day. My husband has passed through Maine in his last deployment and he says the greeters always brought a smile to him and his fellow soldiers, when they just got off a 14 hour flight. Thank you for all the service they do for our troops.

To All of the greeters,
I want to thank you as a soldier, and a wife of a soldier. I found myself crying several times during the show. When I came home there was a big party for my unit with all the fan fair but when my husband came home there was only myself and our two kids waiting for dad in the airport holding American Flags with smiles and tears.
Your dedication to our troops is remarkable under any situation and with your open hearts and hands.

Thank you
Susan

Such a powerful insight into the lives of returning soldiers throughout the years to the present. And the stories of the folks who greet them was just as powerful, in portraying the real life of how it is to age in the US.
Thank you for your great work!

I can't stop crying.... I can't stop smiling. This has truly touched my life in a wonderful way. God Bless You all.

What a fantastic movie. I am so moved by these people and their efforts. How can we got in touch with Jerry, Bill and Joan?

I started watching this Wednesday night and had to watch all of the Documentary. Very touching and joyful. I to cried and cried when it was over.Thank you Bill, Joan and Jerry for letting PBS come into your world. My prayers go to these individuals and may they keep shining their lights for our military. God Bless each and every one in Bangor, Maine greeting our troops.

You did a wonderful job telling a poignant story. It was uplifting to see the troops get encouraging sendoffs and embraced by genuine love upon their return. I'll never watch a member of the armed forces go away on deployment or return from service overseas without thinking of this wonderful show. Midway through the program, it occurred to me that Bill, Jeff and Joan actually needed the social interaction more than the troops needed them. I never really quite understood why Bill had allowed his farm house to become so run down and overrun by dogs and cats. That didn't seem to be explained. Also, I found some off Gita's off camera questions to be a bit distracting and intrusive, especially during a segment with Bill up on the third floor of the farmhouse. There weren't very many of the off camera questions so the ones that made the final cut really stood out. It was difficult to see Jerry endure the death of his beloved dog. They made such a good "team." And thanks for including the bonus video update of Joan's granddaughter coming home. "The Way We Get By" was beautifully shot and nicely edited. I'd refer to it as a documentary, not a film because, unless I'm wrong, this was shot on digital video not film.

I used to live in Maine and I have been back several times going through Bangor. I am ashamed to admit it but I never really gave the greeters much notice. Thank you so much for the loving profile you guys did. The most poignant moment was seeing the soldiers bashful about making snow angels and then doing it. They were like children in adult's bodies.
Your film should be mandatory viewing in every high school civics class. There is no such thing Please tell us, did Jerry get another dog? I think it would be the best thing for him to go to the shelter and get an adult dog!!!
I just want to tell you how much I enjoyed, cried, laughed and cheered while watching this film. You guys rock!!!

this was a grate movie my brother told me about when he came home and that the's people where there to welcome them home he told me that he felt like they care about where they had been and made him understand how important it was to try to give other the freedom we have here in the USA
I would like to see you make one showing how the lives of the troops changes from war after my brother came home he was not the same and in the end he took his life we talked for 2hr before he did he told me that he could not handle what he had to do to other and what he seen the other people do to there own people he told me that he tried to get help from our government but most of the time all they would do was give him more pills he told his doctor I need some one to talk to but he told him that there is a waiting list and that he would put him on it
pleas do not get me wrong I understand that he went in to the Army on his own I just think that our government need to try to get the's troops help I spoke to the person that was working in the SC State Veterans Cemetery http://www.govoepp.state.sc.us/va/cemetery.html she told me that when they opened 12/14/2007 that most of the troops that are being put here are young and that a lot of them have taken there own lives
this is some thing that we are not hearing much about some one need to look in to it and help the troops when they get home

I enjoyed your story and wondered if you knew about a very similar operation that occurred during WWII in North Platte, Nebraska? Volunteers in this tiny town met every train carrying troops to Europe and the Pacific from 5 am to midnight 365 days a year from Christmas day 1941 until the end of the war. They provided home cooked food, magazines, music and friendly conversation to more than 6 million GIs, all on a volunteer basis. I have a book by Bob Greene called Once Upon A Town that I would be happy to send to Aron and Gita if you are interested in learning more.

I was so saddened by the loneliness in Bill's voice when watching this film. I would love to know how he's doing and Jerry as well. How can we keep in touch with them?

I can't stop crying.... I can't stop smiling. :(

I just caught this show on after work. I didn't know it would be so emotional. I couldn't hardly watch Bill say he had outlived his worth. And when Jerry said he took his dog for coffee and doughnuts before...well u know....
Joan seems very sweet and caring, you obviously know that, (Aron). Obviously we all want to help Bill, Joan, and Jerry, so Aron let us know how! Thank you for the documentary.

Matt