By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
A dedication ceremony was held at the Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery in Caribou recently in recognition of the completion of the last of the 216 columbarium niches which are now in place at the cemetery site.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Frank Salvas, left, director of State Cemetery Grants Service, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, in Washington, D.C., and Harry Hafford, chairman of the NMVCC, stand beside the walls of columbarium niches officially dedicated in an Aug. 23 ceremony.
According to Harry Hafford, chairman of the NMVCC, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration provided the funding for the first three columbarium walls of niches as well as the most recent one. The NMVC Corporation, through fund-raising efforts, provided funds to have two additional walls of niches constructed.
During the Aug. 23 dedication ceremony, a large number of area veterans were in attendance as well as those representing local veterans organizations including the American Legion and VFW posts. Also on hand were representatives from the offices of Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe and Congressman Michael Michaud.
Dignitaries who spoke during the brief ceremony included Gen. Brent Boyles, commander of the Maine National Guard and Frank Salvas, director of the State Cemetery Grants Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration. Peter Ogden, director of VA services in Maine and David Richmond, supervisor of the Maine Veterans Cemeteries also attended the affair.
The ceremony opened with the presentation of the colors by members of the Loring Job Corps Color Guard, under the direction of Roger Felix.
Dale McGlinn, NMVC Corp. member emceed the ceremony, introducing the guest speakers and Andy Olson, of New Sweden provided the Invocation and Benediction. Taps were presented by Fred Ormezzani.
Harry Hafford who spoke briefly before welcoming the guest speakers and others in attendance, also offered closing remarks.
For more information regarding the Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery Corporation go to www.maineveteranscemeterycaribou.org.
