By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Even though northern Maine is pretty well the farthest away from Hawaii than any other part of the country, over 20 citizens of Caribou, many of them veterans, assembled yesterday on the Fort Fairfield Road Bridge in Caribou to pay their respects to the tragedy that occurred 69 years ago when Pearl Harbor was attacked; a total of 2,403 were killed and 1,178 wounded, which included soldiers from every branch of the military and civilians as well.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
After the ceremonial wreaths commemorating the 69th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor were tossed from the Fort Bridge to their memorial rest in the currents of the Aroostook River, veterans saluted and civilians held their hands over their hearts as “Taps” was played. Veterans participating in the memorial ceremony included, from left, Army Veteran Jack Dixon, sergeant of arms at the Caribou American Legion Post 15; Army Veteran Doug Michaud, commander of the Caribou VFW, Army Veteran Wayne Little, commander of the Caribou American Legion Post 15 and Navy Veteran Ray Guerrette.
Not deterred in the least by the ice and snow, patriots honored the memory of those lost in the World War II era attack with thoughts and prayer, but they honored one more this Remembrance Day.
Caribou VFW Post 9389 Service Officer Pete Miesburger offered a few words to those gathered, and asked them to think also of Warren Bouchard, who passed away on Dec. 4. Bouchard was not only a decorated infantryman but also a Pearl Harbor survivor.
“Reflect on the life of the last survivor of Pearl Harbor in Caribou,” Miesburger asked his fellow patriots. This year’s Pearl Harbor Memorial Ceremony was dedicated to Bouchard, who was a lifetime member of both the Caribou VFW and American Legion.
“He started this [Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day] ceremony many years ago, and in his memory we will continue to honor it,” said Mieseburger.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Shown here braving the elements during the 2008 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony on the Fort Fairfield Road Bridge is Warren Bouchard, who was the area’s last Pearl Harbor survivor. This year’s ceremony was dedicated to Bouchard’s memory. He passed away on Dec. 4.
“Warren was one of the many American heroes at Pearl Harbor who found himself on the front lines the day our very democracy came under attack. From the stories he would tell me of his memories of that day, I know how proud he was to have served his country, defending freedom during a defining moment in our history,” said U.S. Sen. Susan Collins. “I am saddened to learn of his passing, and as we mark the 69th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, I will join Mainers in honoring Warren’s courageous service and devotion to duty.”
Bouchard told the Aroostook Republican in 2009 that he loved his time in Hawaii — especially the music. He was there for nearly two years with seven other soldiers from the area before Pearl Harbor was attacked on Dec. 7, 1941 — a day which President Franklin Roosevelt called “a date which will live in infamy.”
“These heroes hold a cherished place in our nation’s history. The road to victory was long, hard and perilous,” wrote Sen. Collins in a letter. “Those who perished on it did not give their lives in vain. Those who marched forward to the end did so with honor. All earned our deepest respect and gratitude.”
“National remembrances, like Pearl Harbor Day, demonstrate that we always reserve our deepest respect and praise for those who have summoned the courage to place themselves in harm’s way on our behalf, and that they have done so in order to ensure the blessings of liberty makes us grateful beyond words,” said U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Ceremonial wreaths were offered to the Aroostook River in memory of those who lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor 69 years ago. Participating in the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Ceremony included, from left, Army Veteran Jack Dixon, sergeant of arms at the Caribou American Legion Post 15; Army Veteran Doug Michaud, commander of the Caribou VFW and Army Veteran Wayne Little, commander of the Caribou American Legion Post 15.
