BANGOR, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) joined with people from the greater-Bangor area today to pay special tribute to Maine's Vietnam veterans. 

The event, the Welcome Home ‎Vietnam ‎Veteran Thank You Celebration, which was sponsored by the Maine Troop Greeters and held at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, provided the local community with the opportunity to honor and thank Vietnam-era veterans. Senator King delivered remarks at the event, paying tribute to the service and sacrifice of Maine's veterans and thanking them on behalf of a grateful nation:

“Today, we gather together to ‎honor all of you who bravely served our nation in Vietnam. We pay tribute to your service, and we thank you for your sacrifice on our behalf.

“We want you to know we are grateful for your service and we want you to know we are proud of you. And as we recognize you today, we also honor ‎the memories of those who are no longer with us, those veterans who have passed and those who laid down their lives in service to our nation. Our hearts well with gratitude. 

“In this important moment, let us recommit ourselves to you, let us pledge that we will always remember all that you have done for our nation, and let us forever stand with you in solidarity and in gratitude. Once again, thank you for all you have done.”

Today’s ceremony, which featured a procession of Vietnam Veterans and remarks from various state leaders, provided Vietnam Veterans with the warm welcome that many never received when they returned home from the war years ago. Along with the Maine Troop Greeters, other sponsors of today's event included the Bangor International Airport, the City of Bangor, and the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services.

Maine Troop Greeters is a non-profit group of veterans and civilians that supports members of our Armed Services by greeting troops traveling overseas and returning home through Bangor International Airport.  Since 2003, the group has greeted over 1.4 million service members from more than 7,305 flights. Their mission is to express the nation's gratitude and appreciation for their dedicated service, to wish them a safe return, and provide a joyful homecoming.

Sen. King greets Maine veterans at the Welcome Home ‎Vietnam ‎Veteran Thank You Celebration at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.

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