Staff Writer
The Maine Veterans’ Cemetery Association in Caribou was the recent recipient of an $800 donation presented to Harry Hafford on behalf of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 10. The funds will go toward the construction of a footbridge at the cemetery site.
The footbridge project will allow for easier entrance into the MIA/POW Memorial Park at the Maine Veterans’ Cemetery located on the Lombard Road in Caribou. The footbridge will span an area of undisturbed wetland across from the park. The Veterans’ Cemetery Association has a goal of $15,000 to be raised enabling the footbridge to be completed. Approximately two-thirds of this amount has been secured at this time.
The DAV Chpt.10 group, encompasses the Caribou/Presque Isle and surround communities, both north and south is an extremely active organization. Don Pelkey, commander of the chapter said, “ This group will ask the DAV State Department to match this donation. Chapter 8 from the Mapleton area has donated $500 and we will be approaching the DAV Chapter 9, which is located in the St. John Valley to also participate in funding this project.”
“We have currently raised two-thirds of the estimated $15,000 needed to complete this project,” said Hafford.
The footbridge will connect the MIA/POW Memorial Park with the rest of the grounds, making accessibility easier for guests and visitors.
Hafford also would like to remind community members that there are still tickets available on the 2009 Metropolitan Scooter that the Maine Veterans’ Cemetery Association is using as another fundraiser for the footbridge project. The winner of the scooter will be drawn Dec. 13. Anyone wishing to purchase the $10 tickets may contact Hafford at 435-6024. “I’ll bring the tickets to you,” said Hafford.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
John Barlow, left, member of the Chapt.10 Disabled American Veterans and a board member of the Maine Veteran’s Cemetery in Caribou and Don Pelkey, right, commander of the Chapt.10 DAV, presented an $800 donation to Harry Hafford, center, cemetery director. The donation will be used to assist in the the construction of a footbridge on the grounds at the facility.
