BANGOR (AP) – The Maine Troop Greeters have reached the 1,000 mark.

The group, comprising volunteers from eastern Maine, assembles at Bangor International Airport at any time of day or night to offer a warm welcome or send-off to planeloads of troops headed overseas or flying home.

The 1,000th plane to get a greeting was carrying Alabama and Georgia Army National Guard troops arriving from Afghanistan. It touched down Saturday, bringing the total number of troops welcomed by the greeters to 184,203. The number rose again later Saturday night with the arrival of a plane carrying soldiers headed overseas.

Over the last two years, the Greater Bangor Chamber of Commerce has received hundreds of letters from soldiers and their family members expressing gratitude for the show of support.

On Saturday, the Legislature and Gov. John Baldacci recognized the greeters for their dedication with a proclamation read Saturday before the flight of soldiers arrived.

A portion of Company F, 131st Aviation Regiment, based in Birmingham and Montgomery, Ala., and Savannah, Ga., had come through Bangor on its way overseas 15 months ago.

“It was like deja vu,” said Sgt. Daniel Haddo. “Out of all the stops, this is where we get the warm welcome.”

Maj. Johnny Ray “JR” Bass of Birmingham said Bangor is well-known for its greeters. A volunteer had handed him a donated cell phone to call home.

“This is great,” he said. “Word is getting out that Bangor is the stop to make.”

The unit spent its tour in Afghanistan transporting troops and cargo in CH-47D Chinook helicopters and actually set a world record for logging 7,608 hours in the air, according to Sgt. Cecil Turner of Springville, Ala.

Turner and other soldiers took photos of the welcome home banner, the crowd of greeters and a cake donated by Sam’s Club decorated in red, white and blue frosting announcing the 1,000th plane.

Some 40 volunteers from eastern Maine make up the core group of greeters who take time to go to the airport when a troop plane is arriving from or heading overseas.

Of these dedicated members, Bill Knight stands out. The 83-year-old World War II veteran from Bradford said he’s tried to make every plane and has only missed a few in the last two years.

“Those guys need to know we’re behind them and support them 100 percent,” said Knight, who served in both the Army Air Corps and the Navy. “When somebody does something good for you, you like to do something in return.”

Orrington resident John Buckingham estimates he has met 800 flights.

“My wife started coming out and she encouraged me to come one day,” he said of his wife, Elizabeth. “I came kind of under protest. I really did. But I had tears swell up in my eyes when I saw those guys coming down the hall.

“Once I came out, I was addicted,” said Buckingham. “Now, I just can’t miss it.”

No matter when the planes arrive, even if it’s 2 a.m., the loyal group is at the airport to welcome the troops, and will continue to do so until each and every soldier has returned.

“I think the last time I’ll be out here is when the last plane comes home,” Buckingham said.