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| Aroostook Republican Photo/ Lisa Wilcox Marine Corps Veteran Bill Belanger, who served from 1970 through 1974, demonstrates his respect as the American Legion Post 147 Legion Riders rifle team performs a 21-gun salute at the Veterans Day program held at the Northern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Caribou on Nov. 11. |
By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Each year in America, the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month is set aside to honor all veterans for their dedicated and loyal service to their country. In northern Maine, the crisp November air has a definite bite, to say the least, and Nov. 11 2012 was no exception. That, however, did not deter a large crowd from gathering at the Northern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Caribou to participate in the annual Veterans Day ceremony.
The program began with a posting of colors by the Loring Job Corps Honor Color Guard, who were joined by the Caribou Fire Department and Border Patrol honor guards. Andy Olson, the ceremony’s emcee, welcomed the crowd, and Pastor Gordon Compton delivered an invocation. Juanita Goetz then sang “The Star Spangled Banner.”
Harry Hafford, Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery Corporation’s chairperson, was the first featured speaker. Hafford thanked the crowd for their attendance and noted that this year marked the tenth Veterans Day ceremony to be held at the cemetery. Hafford remarked that while this day was indeed chilly, it was warmer than in years past with the absence of the usual wind.
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| Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox Sgt. Mjr. Roger Felix bows his head as Juanita Goetz sings “Amazing Grace” at the Veterans Day program held at the Northern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Caribou on Nov. 11. |
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| Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox Pastor Gordon Compton, far left, Department of Maine American Legion Commander Ken Bouchard, and NMVCC Board Chairman Harry Hafford offer a salute after the laying of the wreath to honor veterans on Veterans Day at the Northern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Caribou. |
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| Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox Pastor Gordon Compton offers the benediction to conclude the Veterans Day program held at the Northern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Caribou on Nov. 11. |
Hafford updated the crowd on recent projects at the cemetery, including a new parking lot that will be constructed and the Walls of Honor project, which is a set of four walls that have been erected to display tiles that honor both living and deceased veterans in all branches of the service.
According to Hafford, enough tiles have been purchased to move on to the next step of the project, which is to have the first 275 tiles engraved. Hafford said he believed the first batch of tiles should be placed on the first wall by Memorial Day. He also stressed that there are many more tiles that can be purchased as the four walls can hold over 300 tiles each.
Sharon Campbell, local representative from U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe’s office, followed Hafford’s welcome speech. Campbell began her remarks by thanking “whoever ordered no wind,” then read the final letter that the retiring Snowe will write as a U.S. senator in honor of Veterans Day. Snowe’s letter commended those who have served and those who continue to serve.
“Today, we pause to thank you from the bottom of our hearts — because when our country needed you, you were there, fighting on the battlefields and in the skies … on the oceans and in the seas … in the jungles, mountains, and on desert plains — you were always there, united under the Stars and Stripes,” the senator wrote.
Snowe’s letter concluded by stating that it has been the greatest honor of her life to serve the state of Maine in the U.S. Senate for the past 34 years.
Next, Phil Bosse of Sen. Susan Collins’ office read a letter from the U.S. senator. Collins’ letter spoke of the history of Veterans Day and its mission to honor those who have served.
Collins concluded her letter by stating, “Americans love peace. When we do go to war, it is always with reluctance. The Americans we honor on Veterans Day fought for the security of our nation, and for the benefit of all mankind. They humbled tyrants, defended the innocent, and freed the oppressed. Those who serve today — the veterans of tomorrow — carry on this great mission. They, like those who came before, have earned our deepest thanks, not just on Veterans Day, but for all days to come.”
Bosse was followed by Barbara Hayslett of U.S. Congressman Mike Michaud’s office. Hayslett also read a letter from her boss, joking that perhaps if Michaud had known there would not be the normal amount of wind, the he may have been persuaded to make the ceremony.
Michaud’s letter addressed his service and experience with veterans recovering at Walter Reed Hospital, stating, “Their attitudes are inspiring — many of them want nothing more than to go back and rejoin the fight. We pray for the safety of all those currently serving, and we hope that they may return home to their loved ones as soon as possible.”
The keynote speaker at the ceremony was Department of Maine American Legion Commander Ken Bouchard, who clarified the difference between Memorial Day, designed to honor veterans who have passed, and Veterans Day, which pays tribute to all veterans. Bouchard outlined the stress placed on veterans’ families and how they are affected by the plight many veterans face after their service.
Bouchard continued to speak about female veterans and their unique needs and the issues they face in the service. He concluded his remarks by stressing the vital roles that veterans play in society once they are discharged.
Goetz then returned to perform a rendition of “Amazing Grace,” and Bouchard and Hafford laid a wreath in honor of veterans. The American Legion Post 147 Legion Riders rifle team performed a 21-gun salute and Frederick Ormenzzani played “Taps.“
After a moment of silence, Compton concluded the ceremony with his benediction, providing an answer to the recurring question of who was responsible for the wind-free day.
“It was my boss,” the pastor declared.
