Gardners remembered at United Methodist Church

By Karen Donato
Staff Writer
Memorial Day weekend marked a significant occasion for the members of the United Methodist Church of Houlton. Following the Memorial Day activities in Monument Park members of the American Legion Post 47 continued on across Military Street to participate in the Gerald and Barbara Gardner flagpole dedication.
    The Methodist men’s group has erected the lighted flagpole in front of the church. The group had previously discussed having a flagpole, but it wasn’t until after the death of Gerald Gardner, a member of the church for more than 50 years that the project took on new life. Discussing the proposal with Gardner’s widow, Barbara this past winter member Gerald Karnes shared with those in attendance the excitement expressed by her after hearing about the idea.
Unfortunately Gardner’s wife passed away earlier this spring before the flagpole could be set. It was then decided by the group to honor both Gardner and his wife.
Gerald Gardner had been a respected businessman in the community, had served in the United States Army and was proud to be an American; therefore dedicating the flagpole on this holiday weekend was very fitting. A bronze plaque with the Gardners’ names is attached to the base of the pole.
The program for the flag dedication featured children, Carolyn and Rebecca Mooers, Alexandria Maker and Micah and Emily Chamberlain singing several patriotic songs under the direction of Eileen McLaughlin, a prayer by the church pastor Naomi Sam K’Pakra and the raising of the first flag by Commander Calvin Mooers of the American Legion Post 47. Both the Legion honor guard and color guard assisted in the ceremony.
After the initial raising of the United States flag it was then lowered and students Hunter McLaughlin and Nick Cowperthwaite folded the flag assisted by Commander Mooers. It was presented to the Gardners’ son Michael and daughter, Nancy Stone.
A new American flag was raised by student, James Trecartin to fly in front of the church.
After the dedication, attendees were invited into the church to watch a patriotic video and enjoy refreshments.