By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
The Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery located on the Lombard Road in Caribou will soon be the site of the NMVC Walls of Honor, which will display the names of veterans (living or deceased) who honorable served or are currently serving in the any branch of the U.S. military.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Walls of Honor being constructed at the Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery.
The four individual walls, which are in place at this time, but not completed, will serve to respectfully recognize members of the U.S. Army, Marines, Air Force, and Navy/Coast Guard. “We came up with the idea of using brick pavers eight years ago,” said Harry Hafford, supervisor at the NMVC, “and we had several other plans but they kept falling through for one reason or another — the biggest problem being that we needed something that would stand up to the winter weather.”
Once the project is completed each of the walls will be capped following the design used over the columbarium walls at the other end of the cemetery. The front edge of the individual Walls of Honor will be covered with granite and will carry the name of the specific military branch.
Each of these walls are to be outfitted with stainless steel tiers on which 4-inch by 8-inch name tiles will be attached; each wall will hold 312 name tiles (displayed on both sides). The veterans’ name tiles are one-half inch thick and will list information on three lines: last name, first name, middle initial and the rank and military branch of service. The name tiles will be grey in color with black lettering.
“I’m really glad we came up with this particular idea, instead of going with the brick pavers,” said Hafford, “ this way the walls and the names will be visible all year long.”
“The only requirements we have regarding the Walls of Honor,” said Hafford, “is that validation of an honorable discharge must be provided or in the case of those currently serving, verification of active military duty. Veterans whose names appear on the wall do not have to be a resident of this area. These Walls of Honor are in recognition of everybody who has served or is doing so at this time,” he added.
Hafford stated that the name tiles will be available for purchase later this year.
Another project soon to be underway at the NMVC is the construction of a building to provide handicap accessible rest room facilities for those attending ceremonies, visiting at the grave sites or the columbarium niches. “This is something that we have really needed for a long time,” said Hafford, “for some of our visitors, walking from one end of the cemetery to the main building is out of the question.” The rest room is being built across from the site of the columbarium walls.
The building will house two individuals stalls and will be available for access from dawn to dusk (outfitted with light activated locks) from Memorial Day through Veterans Day. The
The project, estimated to cost $30-35,000, is being funded through fundraisers held by the NMVC Corporations and donations.
Anyone wishing to contribute to this construction project can contact Hafford at 435-6024.
