Veterans honored at service

    On Nov. 5, Ken Sercerchi, past state commander of the American Legion and a member of Stockholm Post No. 136 and Sheila Sparks of Woodstock, N.B. made their annual trek to the Evergreen Cemetery in Houlton to place Poppy crosses on the graves of seven Canadian and one New Zealand service member who are buried there in preparation for Veterans Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in Canada.
    Several years ago it was noticed by Sparks, who is originally from Houlton that these graves had Royal Canadian Legion markers on them, but never seemed to be attended to by anyone placing flowers or other types of memorial gestures.  Upon conferring with Sercerchi, who also resides in Woodstock, the two took it upon themselves to start placing the Poppy crosses, which are from The Royal Canadian Legion, on the graves in the week leading up to Nov. 11, which is Veterans Week in Canada.
    After many attempts to obtain some sort of marker from New Zealand and coming up empty handed, the two decided rather than leave the New Zealand grave bare they would also place a Poppy cross on this gravesite, as well.
    Sparks said, “I could not in all good conscience leave his grave unmarked. I want someone somewhere to realize that somebody had the respect to remember him, as well.”
    In the spring the Poppy crosses are removed and replaced with bright new Canadian flags. And now, thanks to someone reading an article in the Woodstock newspaper last May, a New Zealand flag flies proudly on these gravesites throughout the summer months, as well.
    The names of the service men buried in Houlton are L/BMDR Eugene M. Kennedy, RCAF WWII 1920-2000; Charles F. Mowat, Canadian Field Artillery CEF 1895-1962; Sgt. Henry Bordewick, RCAF 1923-1942; Flying Officer George N. Harrison, Royal New Zealand Air Force 1920-1942; Frank N. Hunter, WWI 1861-1926; Harry G. Conway 1897-1989;  Basil A. Schriver, WWI 1906-1931; and Gordon Cogger, 1897-1947.