Tribute tiles need to be purchased for Walls of Honor project to continue

By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
    CARIBOU — The Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery Corporation has been busy getting the word out to the public about its Walls of Honor project.
    The Walls of Honor will consist of four walls being constructed in order to display tribute tiles featuring the name, military branch and years of service of any United States veteran, living or dead. The cost for each tile is $100, and the project needed at least 250 tiles purchased in order for the first set to be put in place.
    According to Harry Hafford, NMVCC’s chairperson, only 25 tiles currently need to be purchased in order for the next step of the project, which is ordering the already-purchased tiles and having them engraved, to take place.
    The four walls, capable of holding 312 tiles each, have been put up. The granite for the trim has been ordered and Hafford expects that to be in soon. The stainless steel to hold the tiles has arrived and been formed. The steel will be placed on the walls after the trim is complete.
    Hafford said he is pleased with the progress of the project. It began this past spring, and Hafford hopes the tiles will be ordered and on the walls before Memorial Day.
    “It’s a great accomplishment.” Hafford said of the community’s response to the walls.
    Another recent addition to the cemetery, the artifacts cabinet that was built by Phil Bosse and installed earlier this fall, has also been successful, according to Hafford. He advised that a lot of items have been provided and encourages the public to drop by the facility to view what’s on display.
    Anyone wishing to purchase a tribute tile for the Wall of Honor or to provide artifacts for the cabinets may contact Hafford at 435-6024.