By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Seven wreaths were laid during the Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Maine Veterans’ Cemetery on Dec. 10 — six wreaths to honor those who served in each branch of armed service and one to remember the veterans that received the POW/MIA status.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Above, Caribou Fire Chief Roy Woods lays a wreath in honor of all who served and continue to serve in the United States Army.
“The wreaths before you represent our commitment as a united America to remember the fallen,” said Andre Dumas, VFW Adjutant who lead the ceremony. “We also want these holiday wreaths to symbolize our honor to those who have served and are serving in the armed forces of our great nation and to their families who endure sacrifices every day on our behalf.”
The short ceremony began with a minute of silence, followed by a brief speech, the laying of the wreaths and concluded with the playing of “Taps.”
“As a nation standing together, we can defeat terrorism, hatred and injustice,” Dumas said. “Thanks to our veterans, we have the freedom to do just that.”
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Douglas Michaud primped the wreath’s boughs before carefully placing it alongside the others during the Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Maine Veterans’ Cemetery in Caribou on Dec. 10. Michaud laid a holiday wreath in honor of the 93,129 U.S. servicemen from all branches of service whose last known status was either Prisoner of War or Missing in Action.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Participating in the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Maine Veterans’ Cemetery in Caribou were, from left, Roy Woods, Linwood Lord, Joel Theriault, Kevin St. Pierre, Conrad Everett, Lloyd Thibodeau, Douglas Michaud, Andre Dumas and Pete Miesburger.
