By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
“Today is more than just a day off from work before Thanksgiving,” reminded George Mathis, Maine Department Commander DAV, and keynote Veterans Day speaker at the Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery in Caribou.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Norman Caron, who served six years (1966-72) during the Viet Nam War stands as witness in his Marine Corps uniform, as fellow comrades of all conflicts were honored and remembered at the NMVC’s Veterans Day Ceremony.
Mathis stated that although historically, the words, “never again” were firmly avowed in regard to previous conflicts, the U.S. is again involved in military campaigns but the veteran stressed that the time has come to “separate war from the warriors” emphasizing that all veterans should receive services they need and should be recognized with honor and dignity for their military service not turned aside or criticized as was often the case following the Viet Nam War. The anger against a war should not be placed upon the shoulders of those who fight for their country.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Area residents, veterans, family members and veteran organizations joined together at the Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery in Caribou on Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day.
In remarks in a letter sent by Sen. Susan Collins, she stated, in part: “It is with great pleasure that I join you to honor those courageous men and women who have served our nation in the past, as well as those who are serving today. Veterans Day was established to commemorate that precise moment when the guns of the First World War fell silent and to remember the 116,000 Americas who fell while carrying the torch of liberty.”
Nearly 24 million veterans live across America, with more than 136,000 right here in Maine. Whether they served in recent years or in generations past, we express our gratitude to them in our words and through our actions. We express our gratitude by ensuring that our nearly 24 million veterans receive the support — the quality health care and the educational and employment opportunities — veterans earned through their service.”
Unable to attend the Nov. 11 ceremony at the NMVC, Sen. Olympia Snowe, also via a letter in part stated: “Today is our opportunity to pause and pay tribute to the unfathomable service and sacrifice of the many Americans exceptional enough to wear the uniform — not only the 23.4 million veterans alive today, including more than 142,000 from the state of Maine, but also those who are no longer with us.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
George Mathis, Maine Department Commander DAV, encouraged everyone in attendance at the Veterans Day Ceremony held at the Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery, “ to separate the war from the warriors.”
“We are also profoundly mindful of all who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, including the 60 Mainers and 5,731 additional American heroes who have been lost in Afghanistan and Iraq. We owe each and every one of them an eternal debt of gratitude that we cannot repay, but that must never be forgotten.”
Congressman Michael Michaud also sent his remarks which included the following sentiments. “As citizens young and old observe Veterans Day, a new generation of veterans is serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. We pray for their safety and we hope that they may return home to their loved ones as soon as possible. We also say thank you to the families of our veterans. They have provided the strength and support at home while their family member is deployed and they help care for their loved one once they are home.”
“It has been said so often, but it can never be said enough: This country owes the greatest debt to its veterans, to the men and women who risked their lives for our freedom. On this day, we show that their sacrifices will never be forgotten. On this day, to our veterans, we say thank you.”
During the Nov. 11 ceremony, with the sun shining brightly, the temperature mild but a chilly wind present, an impressive number of local veterans, families and members of area veterans’ organizations stood witness to the remarks offered by the speakers, viewed a group of young men and women of the Loring Job Corps Color Guard present the nation’s colors, bowed their heads in prayer, in honor and in memory.
Those in attendance listened to the clear, confident voice of elementary student Chloe Wheeler, of Blaine, barely tall enough to be seen over the podium, sing the National Anthem and later the emotional words of “Amazing Grace.”
Following the placement of the memorial wreath by Mathis and Harry Hafford, NMVCC chairperson, “Taps” was played and members of the American Legion Post 147 presented a 21-gun salute.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Norman Caron, left, a native of Caribou and Craig Faye of Presque Isle, both veterans of the U.S. Marine Corps were in attendance at the Veterans Day Ceremony at the Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery in Caribou. Both served during the Viet Nam War, Caron from 1966-72; and Faye from 1966-70. The U. S. Marine Corps celebrated its 235th birthday on November 9.
With the Nov. 11 ceremony completed, as veterans greeted others with handshakes, three flags — the American, the State of Maine and the POW/MIA — flying at half-mast, in recognition of the day as well as the recent loss of fallen Maine heroes, 1st Lieutenant James Zimmerman who was killed in combat in Afghanistan on Nov. 2 and Spec. Andrew Hutchins, a military Policeman who was killed in a combat-related incident in Afghanistan on Nov. 8.
