Staff Writer
Members of the Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery Corporation in Caribou met Dec.18 for an annual meeting and dinner at the Henry B. Pratt American Legion Post Home.
Members of the Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery Corporation met Dec. 18, in Caribou for their annual business meeting and dinner at the Henry B. Pratt American Legion Post Home. Those in attendance included, from left, in front: John Noble, Fred Ormezzani, Dale McGlinn, Harry Hafford, Linda McGlinn and David Richmond. Second row: Reginald Reed, Andre Dumais, Andy Olson, Bev Raymond, Janet Durgin, Carl McGlauflin and Donald Raymond. In back: David Bell, Wayne Little, John Wallace, Raphael Guerrette, Rod Collins, Lester Dubois, Joanna McGlinn and Ron Bartley. Absent from the photo is John Barlow.
Presiding at the meeting was Harry Hafford, chairman of the NMVCC, who announced, “This was a good year, I’m proud of everything we accomplished.” In his comments Hafford referenced the completion of the Memorial Footbridge, a two-year project that now completed allows easier access to the Memorial Park area; the completion of 216 niches at the columbarium wall (complete except for the necessary matching pavers with the entire project to be done by Memorial Day) and the tremendous attendance at ceremonies held at the NMVC during which state officials (or their local representatives) have accepted the invitation to attend. Hafford also commented that it had been confirmed that members of the Loring Job Corps Color Guard, would be present at future ceremonies, (the group participated in a number of the NMVC ceremonies in 2009). The American Legion Riders of Madawaska were also recognized for providing the 21 gun salutes during the year’s events.
Hafford also recognized Friends of the Caribou Veterans’ Cemetery, who maintained the cemetery gardens. and announced the Avenue of Flags project was going forward. Members were informed that possible grant funds to use in the construction of a Veterans’ Memorial building on site at the NMVC was slim since the State Cemetery Grant Services director had indicated that this type of structure was not something the grant services were interested in. The apparent priority of these state cemetery grant services lean more toward enhancing existing structures.
The Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery Corporation’s slate of officers for 2010 were elected during the annual meeting and include: Harry Hafford, chairman; Dale MGlinn, assistant vice-chair; Linda McGlinn, secretary and Fred Ormezzani, treasurer.
Special recognition awards were given to : Bev Raymond, who served for 13 years as recording secretary at the NMVC; to Charter member Fred Ormezzani.
Also during the Dec. 18 annual meeting pledges to the Avenue of Flags project were received from Wendy Landes, executive director of the Caribou Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Richard Cyr, post commander of the Madawaska American Legion Post.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Bev Raymond receives a certificate of recognition and thanks for her volunteer work she has provided to the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery Corporation, from Harry Hafford, president of the board and supervisor at the cemetery. The award was given to Raymond during the annual meeting of the NMVC members held Dec. 18, at the Henry B. Pratt, JR. American Legion Post Home in Caribou.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
State Rep. Peter Edgecomb (R-Caribou), left, Peter Meisburger and Reyfield Guerrette spent some time discussing issues and concerns pertaining to local veterans, during the Dec. 18 annual meeting of the Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery Corporation.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
During the Dec.18. annual meeting and dinner for members of the Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery Corporation, Harry Hafford presented Charter Member Fred Ormezzani with a plaque in recognition of his work and continued support as a charter member of the NMVCC.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Harry Hafford, right, president of the Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery Corporation accepts a donation presented by Richard Cyr representing the Fort Kent veterans’ organization. The donation goes to support ongoing projects at the NMVC.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
During the recent Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery Corporation’s annual meeting, Wendy Landes, executive president of the Caribou Chamber of Commerce & Industry presented Harry Hafford, president of the NMVCC board, a check which was part of promised support from the chamber regarding the purchase of a flag pole to be used in the Avenue of Flags.
