Staff Writer
Gathered in front of the MIA Remembrance Park, at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Caribou, community members gathered last week in observance of National POW/MIA Observance Day.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
The MIA Remembrance Park at the Maine Veteran’s Cemetery in Caribou provided the setting for the National POW/MIA Observance Day ceremony held last week.
National POW/MIA Observance Day, always the third Friday in September, is a day unto itself, set aside each year to collectively recognize and honor prisoners of war and those missing in action.
Speakers for the afternoon ceremony included representatives from the offices of U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe and Rep. Michael Michaud. Rene Cavagnaro sang the National Anthem to open the ceremony.
Major General John W. Libby, of the Maine National Guard, spoke briefly regarding the issues that continuously need to be address regarding veterans, stressing health care as one of the highest priorities.
Later, from high on a knoll just before the columbarium walls, as a lone, figure stood facing the flags, the sound of taps filling the otherwise quiet, restful cemetery, members of the American Legion Riders, Caribou Post 15, motorcycle group stood as one in salute.
During the ceremony, George Berube of Caribou, a veteran of both the Korean War (during which time he was held as a prisoner of war) and World War II, was awarded the silver star.
National POW/MIA Observance Day encourages United States citizens to recognize the tragic loss and lack of closure for the families of veterans whose remains have never been collected and returned home,and to further strengthen the promise never to forget them or military personnel currently serving on foreign lands.
