BANGOR (AP) – It was shortly before 4 a.m. Saturday when the Maine Troop Greeters marked their much-anticipated milestone.

The fourth military personnel flight to touch down at Bangor International Airport within the past 24 hours carried the 500,000th service member since 2003 to pass through the terminal while headed to or from war zones.

The volunteer troop greeters arranged for cake and beverages and passed out gift-filled canvas tote bags to every service member on the overseas-bound flight. The bag handed to number 500,000, Army Spc. Tommitrea Minnifee, was decorated with a big yellow ribbon.

U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, Maj. Gen. John Libby, adjutant general of the Maine National Guard, and City Councilor Susan Hawes were among the dignitaries present for the celebration.

“We’ve been waiting all summer for this one. It’s been a long week of counting and waiting as we got closer,” said Bill Knight, an 85-year-old World War II veteran who helped found the Maine Troop Greeters during the Gulf War and reactivated the group in 2003 when the fighting resumed in Iraq.

Since then, regardless of weather conditions or time of day or night, the troop greeters have turned out to welcome military personnel on more than 1,800 flights. In addition to hugs and handshakes, greeters offer snacks and drinks, and pass out donated cell phones to allow troops to call their loved ones.

“We are often the first stop back in the U.S. or the last stop before leaving American soil for these people,” said Tony Caruso, sssistant airport director. “We are proud that we can send them off with great support or be the first to welcome them back.”

Planes carrying troops often stop in Bangor to clear customs, refuel and change crews for continuing flights. There are troop-greeting activities in other states, but the group in Bangor may be the best-organized and longest-running, according to airport officials.