POW/MIA ceremony held

By Allison Roy
Special to the Houlton Pioneer Times
    Friday, Sept. 18 was National POW/MIA Day. As has been the tradition for years at the Sherman VFW Post No. 2299, a ceremony to honor these POW/MIAs was held on Sunday at the Post home in Stacyville.
    Post Commander Wayne Guiggey opened the ceremony by asking everyone to stand and join him in the Pledge of Allegiance. Guiggey spoke about the 140,000 former POWs who continue to bear physical and emotional scars from their years of captivity. He also said that “organizations like the VFW will never rest until our nation has obtained the fullest possible accounting of our missing.”
    U.S. military sources estimate that 88,000 service members are still missing from all wars.
    Colleen Guiggey, Auxiliary president stated “The VFW and Ladies Auxiliary stand beside the families who continue to burn a candle of hope.” She then introduced the Junior Girls Unit who performed the song ‘Let Freedom Ring’. The Stacyville Auxiliary is the only one in Maine to have a Jr. Girl’s Unit of which Guiggey is the Chairman. Rakayla Rogan, Cassidy Robinson, Courtney Stevens, Victoria Heath and Aaleyiah Poisson did an excellent job singing.
Contributed photo
REMEMBRANCE — Members of the Junior Girls Unit of Sherman VFW No. 2299, Stacyville performed the song “Let Freedom Ring” during a Sept. 18 POW/MIA ceremony. They include, from left, front row: Victoria Heath and Aaleyiah Poisson. Back row: Rakayla Rogan, Courtney Stevens and Cassidy Robinson.
    Other speakers for the afternoon included Dist. 2 President Allison Roy, whose husband, Peter, joined her in singing “A Promise Kept” which was written for Capt. Michael Scott Speicher. Speicher’s FA/18 Hornet was shot down over Iraq 17 January 1991. Over the years, there have been tireless efforts to locate him, to no avail. Speicher’s remains were finally brought home to rest August 13, 2009.
    Irene Heath and Rep. Henry Joy both spoke about Maine POWs and that “we must continue the efforts to bring them all home.” Auxiliary Chaplain Ethel Morgan led the audience in a closing prayer, which included a moment of silent prayer for all of our active military. Refreshments were enjoyed by those attending before all going home.
    For more information about important upcoming events held at the Post home in Stacyville, call 365-4263 or 365-4832. The public is welcome to attend all ceremonies of the Post and Auxiliary.