[Griff]

A huge roar went up from the workers at the 1.7-million-square-foot plant when Pentagon officials announced at 5:06 p.m. Friday that Lockheed and its partners were awarded the $1.7 billion Marine One contract. Workers hugged, exchanged high-fives or back-slapped their associates.

"Welcome to the home of the next presidential helicopter," said Frank C. Meyer, president of Lockheed Martin Systems Integration-Owego, as 1,000 or more workers gathered in a Lockheed Martin hangar for the victory celebration.

For a beleaguered Greater Binghamton economy, the announcement brings the prospect of hundreds of jobs associated with the work. The project may be the largest economic boon to the region in nearly two decades.

"It's a gift from God," said state Sen. Thomas W. Libous, R-Binghamton.

As happy as I am for all the folks I know at LM, I really have to question our priorities and folks willingness to identify the Bush Administration as the hand of the Creator.