The Way We Get By

On the day Bill found out he had cancer, he was still the first one to the airport. An eccentric World War II veteran, Bill knows firsthand what a thank you means to a soldier. When troops returned from Vietnam without any recognition for serving their country, Bill made a promise to never let it happen again. So now he executes each greeting with military precision, supporting the soldiers unconditionally.

Outside the airport, Bill's life is spiraling out of control. While battling his spreading cancer, Bill is also drowning in financial debt. With time running out and creditors hounding him, Bill is forced to make a decision that will change his life forever.

Joan was afraid to go out after dark. Three knee operations forced her to use a walker, leaving her fearful of falling. After spending her life caring for her eight children, Joan was left living alone in an empty nest. But five years ago everything changed. Joan discovered troop greeting, and it quickly became an addiction. What she loves the most is learning about each soldier's family. But as a mother and grandmother, she welcomes them home, but can never say goodbye.

Joan has to confront her issues of letting go when she discovers her granddaughter AMY (30), a Blackhawk helicopter pilot, will soon be deployed to Iraq.

Jerry can usually be found parked near the airport runway. Sitting in his truck with his dog and best friend, Mr. Flannigan, he watches for troop planes overhead. When he spots one, if he's fast enough, he can be inside the airport before the wheels touch the ground. With troop greeting, Jerry's goal is simple-put a smile on each soldier's face. This small act helps him cope with the tragic death of his son.

Haunted by these memories and facing unexplained heart problems, Jerry must come to terms with his own mortality following the sudden death of a close friend.