Formed in 2005, the Pease Greeters are a group of volunteers who meet military flights that stop briefly to refuel at the Portsmouth (N.H.) International Airport before heading overseas. They also greet flights of soldiers returning home.
 
In 2009, after receiving an embroidered star cut from a retired American flag, JoAnne Schottler began distributing stars to the troops passing through the airport. She also has shipped them to soldiers around the world and regularly gives them to veterans.
 
The stars come from donated flags that are collected throughout New England. To learn more about the program, visit the Pease Greeters website or join their Facebook group.