Veterans upset by lack of flag Group confronts Orono council about Memorial Day oversight

ORONO – Complaints from angry veterans Monday night eclipsed a Town Council budget hearing.

Allen Nadeau, supported by representatives from half a dozen veterans organizations, demanded that the town apologize to him, his mother, the family of Clayton Savoy and the town because the American flag was not flown on Memorial Day at the Nadeau-Savoy Memorial Park at Gould’s Landing in Orono.

“I don’t understand what happened,” he angrily told the council and those watching the live broadcast of the meeting on cable television. “I want some guarantees before I leave here tonight. If not, I will go to a higher level.”

The park was created in the early 1970s with federal and state money, according to Ted Curtis, a local attorney and member of the School Committee. The park was dedicated in 1972 and named after the only two Orono men who died during the Vietnam War – Larry Nadeau and Clayton Savoy, according to Curtis, who represented the town in the Legislature in the early 1970s.

In addition to his complaint about the lack of a flag on the recent holiday, Allen Nadeau, who is Larry Nadeau’s brother, complained that the park was not properly prepared for Memorial Day. Residents had left bags of leaves in the park, the dock had not been put into the water, the barbecue grills needed to be replaced and a planned memorial to the slain soldiers had not materialized.

Council Chairman Lianne Harris’ suggestion that creating an adopt-a-park program might solve the upkeep problems brought an angry response from Wayne S. Cartier, vice commander of the Vietnam Veterans of American, Chapter 185, Orono.

“Allen’s brother gave his life for this park,” he shouted. “Mr. Savoy gave his life for this park. You want some organization to adopt their blood? This is an insult to all the veterans in this town. Give them the decency to raise the flag three times a year – on Memorial Day, when we remember those who died, on July Fourth, when we celebrate the birth of a nation, and on Veterans Day, when we remember those who are left.”

Once tempers cooled, Nadeau and the other veterans got most of what they wanted. The old dock will be removed as soon as the new one arrives, according to Norman Poirier, director of Parks and Recreation. The leaves are scheduled to be picked up next week and the small building used for storage will be moved from the center of the park.

A committee, including Nadeau, Curtis and Councilor Sean Wasson, was formed Monday night to recommend improvements in the park to the town. Those could include a new secure flagpole and a memorial to veterans.

“I apologize to you that you had to come here … to get this done,” Councilor John Bradson told Nadeau. “The problem is that a recreational use [Gould’s Landing] is mixed with a memorial park. We have to show you and the community that our priority is the memorial park.”

In other matters, officials outlined next year’s proposed municipal and school budgets at a public hearing that garnered few comments. The combined budget will increase $379,750, with $175,000 going to cover increased insurance and energy costs.

The $12 million budget will increase property taxes by a little more than 6 percent, according to Town Manager Gerry Kempen. The tax rate is expected to increase from $24 to $25.44 per $1,000 assessed valuation.

The council is scheduled to vote on the budget at 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 18.