[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 184 (Tuesday, November 4, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S7901]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING THE PEASE GREETERS

 Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am honored to recognize Frank 
LaSorsa of Stratham, Larry Larkin of Dover, Junious and Bette Owens of 
Stratham, and members of the Pease Greeters as October's Granite 
Staters of the Month. As part of the Pease Greeters, Frank, Larry, 
Junious, and Bette have made sure that servicemembers traveling through 
Portsmouth International Airport see a friendly face when they are in 
New Hampshire.
  Since 2005, the Pease Greeters have shown up day and night to greet 
servicemembers both leaving and reentering the United States on 
military deployments, welcoming and seeing off more than 2,600 flights 
from all branches of the military. Portsmouth International Airport is 
often the last airport in the United States for soldiers who are 
deploying and the first stop back in the country on their way home. The 
Pease Greeters ensure that these servicemembers are met with a smile 
and a kind word during their journey.
  The Pease Greeters have been powered by many volunteers over the 
years, and some of their longest serving volunteers have helped make 
the organization the mainstay that it is today for servicemembers. 
Frank LaSorsa, a Vietnam-era veteran, has been a member of the Pease 
Greeters since 2009, when he was invited to join the group at a funeral 
for a soldier. He has been with the Greeters ever since and says that 
the most rewarding part of greeting is seeing the smile on a returning 
servicemember's face. Larry Larkin and Junious and Bette Owens have all 
been with the Pease Greeters for 20 years. All of the Pease Greeters 
emphasize that greeting is a team effort and that it would not be 
possible without each volunteer's help.
  Frank, Larry, Junious, Bette, and the rest of the Pease Greeters' 
dedication to our servicemembers is a true example of the Granite State 
spirit of honoring those who serve. Their commitment to greeting 
servicemembers at any time of day or night is why I am honored to name 
them October's Granite Staters of the Month.

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