Trail, bench dedicated to fallen Castle Hill soldier
THE OFFICIAL UNVEILING of a trailhead stone marker at the base of a public hiking trail at Haystack Mountain — named after the late Cpl. Dustin J. Libby, inset, of Castle Hill — was held Friday morning.
Staff photo
Scott Mitchell Johnson
Participating were, from left: Libby’s brother, Chris; mother, Geni; father, Judson; and Gov. Paul LePage. Libby, 22, died Dec. 6, 2006 in honorable service to his country during a firefight while stationed in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.
During the event, a bronze commemorative plaque that was placed on a park bench at the trail summit was also unveiled.
CASTLE HILL — As a kid, the late Cpl. Dustin J. Libby loved to climb Haystack Mountain. Now, a popular hiking trail leading to the mountain’s summit has been named in his honor.
Last Friday, Gov. Paul LePage, Conservation Commissioner Bill Beardsley and Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands Director Will Harris joined members of Libby’s family to unveil a sign at the trailhead that was dedicated in the serviceman’s memory.
Libby, 22, died Dec. 6, 2006 in honorable service to his country during a firefight while stationed in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.
“I didn’t know Cpl. Libby, but just being here this morning you feel like you watched him grow up,” said LePage. “At the young age of 22, Dustin gave his life for his family, his town, his state and — most importantly — his nation.
“Freedom is never free, and Dustin made the ultimate sacrifice. When he joined the Marines, we entrusted him with our personal and national freedom, and this fine, young man lived up to the billing of the United States Marine Corps and he gave it his all. This morning we honor that trust — and the sacrifice that Cpl. Libby gave — to his nation. He was willing to do everything necessary to make sure that we — at home — remain free people,” LePage said. “What a testimony to Dustin that we honor him with a landmark that will be here for many, many years to come. On behalf of a grateful state and nation, it is my honor to thank the family for giving us Dustin to defend us and the sacrifice that you will make for the rest of your lives.”
Staff photo
Scott Mitchell Johnson
LePage joined Libby’s parents, Judson and Geni Libby, as well as his brother, Chris, in unveiling the trailhead stone marker, which was donated by Maynard Brothers General Contracting of Presque Isle. The donated engraving was completed by Aroostook Monuments, also of Presque Isle.
In addition, a bronze commemorative plaque that was placed on a park bench at the trail summit was also unveiled.
“The sense of community in The County always comes through in such special occasions,” said Park Manager Scott Thompson of the Aroostook State Park. “These two businesses are truly appreciated and respected by the community for their unselfish offering toward this dedication project.”
Libby, who grew up in Castle Hill, was born Jan. 4, 1984, in Presque Isle. He graduated from Presque Isle High School’s Adult Education Program (Class of 2003) before joining the U.S. Marine Corps, where he graduated in February 2004 with a meritorious promotion to private first class.
Libby went on to serve with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Echo Co. based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Libby’s first stay at Camp Pendleton was short, as he was almost immediately deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom in the summer of 2004. He returned from his first deployment to Iraq that fall, after which he remained stateside until his second overseas deployment to Okinawa, Japan.
During this deployment, he traveled to Hawaii, Okinawa and participated in joint training with the Philippine military. Libby returned stateside where he met his fiancée, Jeannine Gonzales, in California. His last deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom brought him back to Ar Ramadi, where he led a squad of 12 men.
Chris Libby said the family was moved by the ceremony.
“It means a lot that we can come up here where we spent a lot of time as kids and see that his name is there and that his memory is going to be honored indefinitely,” he said. “We lived right down the road as kids, and for Dustin, this place meant a lot.
“When he came home from his first tour, he and Mom climbed the mountain and it gave him a lot of peace. He was in a bad spot when he came back from his first tour and Haystack was a safe spot for him … someplace where he didn’t have to worry about all the things he had to deal with,” said Libby. “I’d like to express my thanks to everybody involved in making this happen. We greatly appreciate all the efforts put forth to put this together.”
The legislation directing that the dedication be made was sponsored by State Rep. Alexander Willette (R-Mapleton) and seven other Republicans and passed in both the Maine House and Senate. LePage signed the resolution in April.
“Shortly after the election I collected ideas from people as I was going door to door. Laura Roope [Dustin’s aunt], who used to be one of my teachers and a friend’s mom, said, ‘You remember Dustin. He used to love Haystack. Wouldn’t it be cool if we could dedicate the trail in his memory,’” said Willette. “I said, ‘That is a brilliant idea’ and we put it through the process.
“It was a great way for us to honor his memory, and for the Legislature to recognize those people who have made that ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms,” he said.
Beardsley promised Libby’s family that the trail will be maintained.
“On behalf of the Maine Department of Conservation, I’m here to assure family and friends that we will care for the trail we dedicate today as if it was for our own son,” he said, noting that his son, James, “was and will always be a proud Marine.”
Haystack Mountain, a Castle Hill landmark with an elevation of 1,142 feet, is located about 10 miles west of Presque Isle. The 215-acre area is owned and managed by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands and maintained by the town of Castle Hill.
“We are very pleased to be able to honor the memory of a dedicated Maine Marine who gave his life in service to his country and our state,” said Harris. “It is very appropriate that this trail, which offers one of the best 360-degree views of Aroostook County, should be dedicated to Cpl. Libby’s memory.”
According to the Maine Trail Finder, the views from Haystack are “spectacular and will not disappoint.” They include views of Mount Katahdin and the Scopan Lake Public Land Unit, wooded forests of the North Maine Woods, farmlands, Maine’s first windmill project on Mars Hill Mountain and Aroostook State Park, Maine’s first state park.
