Maine Troop Greeter Profile
Profile: Maine Troop Greeter Dusty (Charles) Fisher
The Early Years:
Dusty was born in Providence, RI, where he lived for one year. His family then moved to Toledo, OH, where he “came of age.” After graduating from high school, he found work in a factory. In the winter of 1960, he happened to run into an old friend who was studying at Findlay College. He started to hang out with him and his college friends. It was so much fun that he decided to enroll in Finley College himself, which he attended for about a year and a half. This experience showed him that he could achieve success if he set his mind to it. However, he had just “too much fun” and left to join the Army.
Military Service
He did his basic training at Fort Knox, though he was sick during most of it. After basic training, he was sent to the Pittsburgh NORAD (North American Air Defense Command) district as a radar operator. Over the three years, he worked in the 31st ADA (Air Defense Artillery), finding targets and working in communications. In fact, one of the skills he perfected was learning to write backwards, since he had to write the targets on plexiglass for the operators on the other side; a skill he even used when teaching high school, much to the students’ surprise. He is still in contact with the remaining members of the crew.
Returning to Civilian Life
After leaving the Army, Dusty enrolled in the University of Toledo, Ohio, where he earned his degree in education. He would earn two more degrees at the University of Maine.
As a kid, he spent his summers in Maine at his grandfather’s place, so upon graduation, he decided to move to Maine, where he got a job at Brewer High School teaching history to juniors. He stayed in this job for 26 years, influencing many young people over the years. Just three weeks after moving to Maine, he visited the historic “Black House” in Ellsworth with family. The tour guide was a lovely young woman. Dusty said that since she did such a great job with the tour, he married her! This partly explains why, while he intended to stay in Maine for 2-3 years, he is still here 55 years later, happily married to the love of his life, Ellen! She has also been a Maine Troop Greeter.
Maine Public Service
Dusty was always involved in public service. He ran for and was elected to the Maine State Legislature in 1994, where he served for eight years. He took a two-year break and then served for another four years until 2008. In 1997, some Korean War Veterans asked him if he could help them get a Korean War license plate. Unfortunately, at that time, there was a moratorium on new license plates. However, over the years, Dusty persevered and eventually succeeded in getting one for them. He became involved in Korean War Veterans events and is now the President of the Korean War Veterans Association. He also became involved with the Marine Corps League when he attended many Veteran events where the Marine Corps League participated. He got to know them and was invited to even more events. Eventually, they invited him to join them as an associate Marine Corps League member. He is also involved with the Maine Infantry Foundation and was the first Maine civilian inducted into the Order of St. Maurice of the National Infantry Association.
When and why did you become a Maine Troop Greeter?
In June of 2003, Dusty met up with Fred Harden, a troop greeter. Fred mentioned that the greeters were back in action again. Dusty asked him to call. He did, and Dusty has rarely missed a flight since, over 90% of the nearly 8000 flights, notably at all hours of the day and night. While many people would come out during the day, often, it would only be Dusty, Bill Knight, Gerry Mundy, and a few others in the early years who would be there in the middle of the night. The only time he missed a flight was if he had a vote in the legislature that could not be missed. Dusty and Gerry became close friends over the years. Gerry would often park near the airport to watch the planes landing, and Dusty would often join him, jumping into the truck to watch and chat.
Stories
Dusty has innumerable stories, but here are a few from a BDN article: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkGcICgDGt0 Dec. 9, 2021
“We let them know that we cared about them. That was made clear one night when I was out in the smoking area, talking with some Seabees. A young woman came out through the door and started crying. I asked if she was okay. She replied, “You were standing here a year ago and told me that you’d be here when I got back.”
“I also met an LT COL from Toledo, Ohio. the son of a guy who taught where I student taught.. I also met the grandson of a very tough basic training sergeant I had faced 40 years before during basic training. His name was Israel Alicia, and so was the kid’s name. I have difficulty remembering names, but I’ll never forget his. Nor will any other guy who had him as a drill sergeant during basic training!”
“General John Kelly (former Chief of Staff during the first Trump administration) came through Bangor four times. In one of his letters to me, he refers to our “ambushing” him several times, as well as his sons, who were both Marines. He lost one son on 11 November 2009. He would keep in touch. Once from Baghdad just before Christmas, the year he led the Marine division there, he told of the loss of two of his Marines during that deployment, which was again, very sad.”
“There are a lot of sad stories of missed days: birthdays, births, holidays, anniversaries, games, and graduations. Then there are stories of broken homes, and just as hard, maybe worse, for the times when one of the troops would take me over to the KIA casualty book that usually sits on a table outside the Troop Greeter room to show me his buddy’s name.”
“One of the ones on the K-I-A list was Alejandro Yazzie. He was a Navajo and a Marine, and was grandnephew was one of the Navajo code talkers in WWII. Our connection was that Yazzie went to high school in Kayenta, Arizona. I had looked into a job there 55 years ago. He came through Bangor three times. About a month after his third stop in Bangor, he was KIA; January 2009.”
“There have been some touching moments, such as the ‘butter bar’ Lieutenant who looked like she was twelve. I asked her if her folks were present when she pinned off. She said her father had pinned on the bars that were his and his father’s before him.”
“There was a woman who came into the Tennessee National Guard in her 30s. This was her first deployment, and she was afraid. We spoke for quite a while, and I gave her my card and suggested she email if needed. She did, and the correspondence has continued for almost 20 years. I often wear a 230th T-shirt she gave me on her return. That is the unit she served with in Iraq.”
“Why do we do this? I don’t like to speak for others, but I think we all feel the same way. We do it for this generation of troops to make sure they are not treated as the troops in the 60s were. We want them to feel appreciated, and we show it with hugs and smiles and tears and lingering handshakes. The letters from them and their families are further proof. Finally, we do this because it’s good for the soul, and probably everyone feels this way. I’ve been doing this since 2003. Each flight is just as rewarding as the first was. It hasn’t grown old.”
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Newsletter May 2025
Attached is the first of what is intended to be a series of Maine Troop Greeter Profiles. Nory Jones has developed this wonderful profile of Don Gallupe. Nory will be developing other profiles over the next several months.
Troop Flights – Ongoing airport runway refurbishment has served to curtail troop flights through the middle of June. We look forward to troop flights being scheduled for Bangor after mid-June.
Honor Flight Maine had its first flight from Bangor in late April. The Flight was a resounding success thanks, in part, to the City of Bangor’s support for this wonderful tribute to Maine Veterans.
Upcoming Events
Troop Greeter Memorial Brick Ceremony
FRIDAY MAY 23, 2025 AT 10AM
The dedication will take place at the Troop Greeter’s Pavilion located opposite the main entrance of the Domestic Terminal.
In the event of inclement weather. The event will be held inside the terminal building.
Following the dedication there will be a reception with refreshments.
Please RSVP to Angel Matson (Bangor Marketing Assistant)
or call 207-992-4611
Honoring
Ruth Buzzell
Evelyn Bradman
Marcia Murray
Charles Boothby
Louise Doe
Edward Burns
Ellen Martin
Rhonda Shaw
Mark Buongirno
Audrey Higgins
Mark Czarnecki
Phyllis Pushard
George Bridgman
And
Captain America
General Meeting SATURDAY JUNE 7, 2025 AT 10:30 AM
Bangor Parks and Recreation
Primary topic for agenda: The future of Troop Greeting
Maine Troop Greeter Profile
Don Gallupe
Don Gallupe’s story is one of courage, resilience, and a deep sense of duty-qualities that have shaped not only his life but also the lives of those he’s touched along the way.
By Nory Jones
From Fields to Formation: A Bangor Boyhood
Born on February 6, 1924, Don grew up on Union Street in Bangor, Maine, one of eight siblings in a bustling household. At Bangor High School, ROTC wasn’t just an extracurricular- it was a rite of passage. While most boys completed the mandatory two years, Don’s dedication saw him through a third, setting the stage for what was to come.
The Black Widow and the Battle Above
Don’s path led him to the Army Air Corps, where he was selected as a gunner on the formidable P-61 “Black Widow” night fighter. Stationed in New Guinea, he flew dangerous missions over the Pacific, each flight a gamble with fate. In late 1944, disaster struck-a crash left Don hospitalized for months, his future uncertain. “Through the training and so forth, it’s quite an experience to know whether you’re going to make it or not,” he reflected.
Healing with Harmony
During his long recovery in New Guinea and Australia, Don found solace in an unexpected place: his harmonica. Taught to play in fourth grade, the instrument became his companion and comfort. In the hospital, he played old western tunes for his wounded bunkmate, offering a taste of home and hope in the darkest days.
A New Mission at Home
After eight months in foreign hospitals, Don returned to Bangor and built a new life. He entered banking, managing the Merchants National Bank’s Brewer branch-a symbol of the region’s postwar growth. He married Pat, raised three children, and settled into the rhythms of civilian life.
Answering the Call-Again
In 2003, as American troops once again shipped out to war, a friend invited Don to greet them at Bangor International Airport. With his wartime experience and warm presence, Don became one of the original Maine Troop Greeters. Night after night, he welcomed soldiers-often in the quiet, lonely hours when few others were awake. For many, Don’s harmonica became a highlight, as he played classics like “You Are My Sunshine” and “Irish Eyes Are Smiling,” drawing troops together and lifting spirits. One night, in October 2011, Don found himself shaking hands with “Captain Wales”-better known as Prince Harry-among a group of British troops refueling on their way to California.
Building a Legacy of Service
Don’s impact stretched beyond the terminal. As a founding member of the Maine Troop Greeters’ board of directors, he helped transform the organization into a model of efficiency and compassion, ensuring that every returning soldier felt the gratitude of a nation. He helped bring order and stability, and created a smoothly running 501-C3 non-profit organization.
How did Don’s experience in WWII influence his role as a Troop Greeter
Don Gallupe’s experience in WWII profoundly shaped his role as a Maine Troop Greeter in several key ways:
- Deep Empathy for Troops: Having served as a young soldier himself-thrust into leadership roles straight out of high school and facing the uncertainty and dangers of war-Don understood firsthand the anxiety, fear, and homesickness that deploying troops often feel. This empathy enabled him to connect with service members on a personal level, offering comfort and reassurance during their brief stops in Bangor.
- Leadership and Composure: Don’s early command responsibilities and the discipline instilled by his ROTC and military training gave him a calm, steady presence. This helped him serve as a reassuring figure for troops, especially during late-night and early-morning shifts when the airport was quiet and emotions could run high.
- Shared Experience and Respect: Don’s own combat and recovery experiences, including his time as a wounded veteran, allowed him to relate to the challenges faced by modern soldiers. His presence as a fellow veteran conveyed respect and solidarity, making his greetings especially meaningful to those heading into or returning from conflict.
- Music as Comfort: During his WWII recovery, Don found solace in playing the harmonica-a skill he brought to his Troop Greeter role. By playing familiar songs for troops, he created moments of warmth and nostalgia, helping to ease their stress and remind them of home, just as music had comforted him and his fellow soldiers decades earlier.
- A Sense of Duty: Don’s lifelong commitment to service, shaped by his wartime experiences and the sacrifices of his family, motivated him to continue giving back. Becoming a Troop Greeter was a way to honor that legacy and support a new generation of service members.
A Century of Service
Don continued greeting troops for as long as he could, most recently in 2024, at the remarkable age of 101. Though he can no longer make it to the airport, the memories of those countless handshakes, smiles, and songs remain vivid-a testament to a life spent in service, both in war and in peace.
Don Gallupe’s story is more than a chronicle of battles and branches. It’s the tale of a man who never stopped giving back, whose harmonica and handshake offered comfort to generations of soldiers far from home.