Photo courtesy of Fred Schottler
Jimmy McCain
Returns From Iraq
Welcomed Home By Pease Greeters
February 11, 2008 was a
special day in the life of Marine Lance Corporal Jimmie McCain, son of senator
and Republican presidential nominee John McCain and Cindy McCain and members of his
family. Jimmy, a member of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine
Division returned home from Iraq along with 330 of his fellow Marines.
They arrived at Pease International Tradeport in Portsmouth, NH to a warm
welcome by Pease Greeters. Jimmy's flight was originally schedule to
land in Bangor, Maine but was diverted to Pease due to high winds in
Bangor. On the way to Pease, the aircraft developed flight control
problems and declared an in-flight emergency and made an emergency
landing. The plane landed safely.
The plane arrived early Monday morning to little or no fanfare
as the flight was not expected. Soon, word of the flight's arrival was
announced on local radio and TV and word began to spread among an organization
of greeters known locally as the Pease
Greeters. My wife Hellen and I arrived at the airport terminal
around 7:30 AM being among the very first greeters on hand. We assisted
in serving the retuning Marines coffee and donuts provided by airport
authorities. It soon became clear that food would be needed to feed the
Marines something more substantial so an appeal went out to local
businesses. Donations of breakfast sandwiches began to arrive.
Because of the flight control problems experienced by the
aircraft a replacement part was requested from the airline's headquarters and
would not arrive for several hours. When the part arrived it could not
be properly installed and another aircraft was requested but would not arrive
until sometime the next morning. Another appeal went out to area
businesses and the Wal-Marts of Portsmouth and Newington, NH responded with
luncheon meats, breads, salads and cases of fruit. In addition, an area
pizza restaurant provided 100 free pizzas.
When word began to spread among the news agencies that Jimmy
McCain was among the Marines at Pease WBZ-TV of Boston sent a news crew to the
airport to interview McCain. McCain asked politely not to be filmed and
did not grant an interview. When it became clear that the Marines would
not leave for their final destination, 29 Palms, until the next day, area
hotels were called. The bulk of the unit stayed at the Holiday Inn in
Portsmouth. Hellen and I followed the Marines to the hotel to offer any
assistance that we could. We gave our phone number to a young lieutenant
and asked him to call us when the Marines were to fly out.
The Marines were wakened early the next morning, bused to the
airport and boarded their flight home. The lieutenant did not call us
that morning but did call us from 29 Palms that evening. He said he
didn't feel right about getting us out of bed that early in the morning.
He said that everyone arrived safely home to family and friends.
It was a real honor for us to play host to these brave men who
were returning home from Iraq and a delight to meet Jimmy McCain. He is
a fine lad and as you can see by his photo the image of his dad.
(article by Bob Hersey)
