The Way We Get By Documentary Brings Home Awards, Comes to a Town Near You

The Bangor International Airport (BGR) in Bangor, Maine is small. Not small as in it's-not-quite-LAX, but small as in there are a total of four gates (if you count adjacent gates 2A and 2B separately) and two baggage carousels. But every day, it's the site of one of the most monumental events in dozens of individuals' lives, as it is the last American land many troops see before flying to Iraq or Afghanistan, and the first American land many troops see after returning from their tour of duty.

Since 2004, a group of troop-greeters has been at BGR to welcome every flight of servicemen and women back the U.S. and thank them for their time. Some of the staple troop-greeters are Joan Gaudet, Bill Knight and Jerry Mundy, three elderly Maine residents who have turned this expression of friendliness into their #1 priority for five years. These three people and the more than 800,000 troops they have greeted are the focal point of a documentary directed by Gaudet's son, Aron, and produced by acclaimed journalist and producer Gita Pullapilly, called The Way We Get By.

Getting to the airport every day is not always easy for the greeters. Flights come in at all hours of the day and night, and in a state where locals often quip, "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes," conditions can be difficult to both predict and navigate. Besides that, the three main greeters each have personal battles: At their advanced age, health is always a concern, which can force them to confront their own mortality, and issues such as familial problems are inescapable.

So far, the critical response to the film about life, death, dedication and war has been overwhelmingly positive. The Way We Get By snagged a Special Jury Award at this year's SXSW Film Festival, and has been included in other fests across the country, often walking away with prizes. The movie's run at New York's IFC Center begins today, and the film will make an appearance in a few theaters across America, especially in Maine, during the next few months. The crew is also asking for donations to help screen the film at military bases, and is willing to arrange screenings for welcoming communities.

Watch the trailer for The Way We Get By: