Bridge designated to honor fallen soldiers, families
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
PRESQUE ISLE’S Park Street Bridge has been designated the Gold Star Memorial Bridge in honor of United States servicemen and women who lost their lives in the performance of their duties.
Rep. Michael Willette (R-Presque Isle) introduced the bill that was signed by Gov. Paul LePage May 18. The new signs were erected Oct. 31. Admiring one of the signs are, from left: Carl McGlauflin, finance officer for the American Legion Ray Goding Post 88, and Willette.
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
PRESQUE ISLE — As a way to honor those members of the Armed Forces of the United States who lost their lives in the performance of their duties — and the parents who were left grieving — Presque Isle’s Park Street Bridge has been designated the Gold Star Memorial Bridge.
Rep. Michael Willette (R-Presque Isle) introduced the bill that was signed by Gov. Paul LePage May 18. The new signs were erected Oct. 31.
“I’m a member of the American Legion Ray Goding Post 88, and I was talking with Jim Taubin, former Americanism officer for the Post, who has since moved away,” said Willette. “As vets, we always try to think of something special we can do … memorials that aren’t going to break the bank, and we were talking about the Gold Star Memorial Bridge in Connecticut.
“I thought, ‘Wouldn’t that be nice to designate the Park Street Bridge since it is a stop during the Memorial Day parade where a wreath is thrown in the river to honor the Naval veterans,” he said. “What more of a fitting location to have a Gold Star designation than this bridge?’”
Taubin agreed, and Willette then went through the appropriate channels and crafted the bill which was approved by the House and Senate in early May.
“We also had to go to the city to get the OK from the City Council,” Willette said. “The city owns the bridge, but the state maintains it, so we had to get the city’s approval, and they were all for it.
“It’s a nice touch and a simple way to honor those who have given their lives fighting for our freedom,” said Willette, “and their families who were affected by the loss.”
The name “Gold Star” comes from the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., which was formed in the United States shortly after World War I to provide support for mothers who lost sons or daughters in the war.
“Anybody that was killed in action, their parents were entitled to a Gold Star,” said Carl McGlauflin, finance officer for the American Legion Post 88. “Mainly that went to the mothers so the group became the American Gold Star Mothers. It was quite a program at the time, and it still exists today.
“Designating the bridge is more for the parents who lost a son or daughter in the service,” he said. “I had an aunt whose only son was a co-pilot in World War II and was killed in Germany. She was a Gold Star Mother, so that made more of an impression on me. I think it’s a good thing to designate the bridge. It means a lot to those families and I’m glad to see it done. I hope people will realize what its for.”
