Deb Milner

The Early Years

Deb Milner was born in Washington, Georgia, and grew up in the small town of Thomson, where she attended school from first grade through high school graduation. Life in rural Georgia shaped her early years, especially through her father’s work as a forest ranger in remote areas, including the Okefenokee Swamp. Her mother was a homemaker, though she worked outside the home for the first few years.  She has one sister who still lives in GA, but most of her family is scattered across the country and the world. She had 4 children but lost a daughter in 2010

Service to country runs deep in Deb’s family. Her father served in the Army National Guard as a head cook, and her uncle and stepchildren also served. Her second marriage was to George, a retired Air Force officer. He also had 4 kids. Deb had 1 son and 3 daughters. He had 3 sons and a daughter. However, by the time of her second marriage, all the kids were grown and gone.

The Maine Troop Greeters

How did you hear about the Troop Greeters?

Deb first learned about the Maine Troop Greeters while attending a Fourth of July parade in the late 1990s. Someone mentioned that military flights were arriving at the airport, and she and George decided to go see what it was all about. They were instantly hooked.

This was during the Desert Storm era, when troop arrivals were announced on the radio, and hundreds of people would gather at the airport to welcome service members home or send them off. High school bands played, crowds lined the terminal, and a strong sense of patriotism filled the building. Deb remembers many of the early regulars who helped shape the organization, including Bill Dean, Tom Kohl, Anne Kohl, Peter Perry, and others who devoted countless hours to supporting the troops.

Being a Maine Troop Greeter

When plans began for creating the Troop Greeter room at the airport, Deb became deeply involved in the effort. It took nearly two years to complete the paperwork required for nonprofit status, formally establish the organization, and create the now-famous Troop Greeter room.

A committee of roughly 10 to 15 dedicated volunteers handled the enormous task. Deb served alongside Cathy, Bill, and others on the board during those formative years. She later served as Operations Chair for 5 to 6 years before eventually serving as Chairman of the Board, following Tom Kohl and then Allison Fernandez. During most of her time with the Troop Greeters, she worked full-time, but her employer allowed her some time off to help with the organization’s incorporation.

Before the pandemic, Deb also helped lead the effort to document the Troop Greeters’ massive challenge coin collection in hopes of earning recognition from the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest collection. Alongside George and Ken Vaillancourt, she repeatedly submitted documentation, though the process became difficult when Guinness requested a full video recording of every coin being counted — an enormous task given the size of the collection. The effort continues today, with Ray still pursuing the goal.

Deb continues to volunteer, opening the Troop Greeter room every Wednesday from 10 am-12:30 pm, and covers for other days when people cannot make it. She also used to volunteer to open the room on weekend days until the pandemic.

Memories and stories

Over the years, Deb has experienced countless unforgettable moments at the airport.

During Desert Storm, she remembers being at the airport at every hour of the day and night, greeting troops as they departed and returned home. One especially meaningful moment came when she was able to greet her own step-grandson returning from deployment.

Another memorable experience came when the Troop Greeters received an award from News Center Maine. As Chairman of the Board, Deb was tasked with giving a 90-second speech — something she recalls as both nerve-wracking and rewarding. The plaque from that award still sits proudly on the short bookcase near the ramp entrance.

One New Year’s Eve stands out in particular. A flight returning from Hawaii brought in one of the friendliest and most cheerful groups Deb had ever encountered. Nearly 100 service members arrived, and many of them filled the room with laughter and energy, staying for hours and turning the evening into an unforgettable celebration.

Then there was Opie, the Shih Tzu. Deb once carried the little dog throughout the airport, delighting troops everywhere she went. Service members loved seeing him.

For Deb, being a Troop Greeter has always been about more than waving flags or greeting flights. “It’s an honor to be there for the troops,” she says, especially for those deploying overseas. For many service members, the Maine airport is their final stop on American soil before heading into uncertain situations abroad. That responsibility has never left her.

A “Never Forget” 9/11 sticker remains on her car as a quiet reminder of why the mission matters. Every time Deb thanks a veteran or active-duty service member for their service, she hopes it sends a simple message: The Troop Greeters are still here.