Thursday marks the 60th anniversary of the day 56 Maine 17-year-olds became the largest group of volunteers from the state to be sworn in to the U.S. Navy.

The surviving members of the World War II Bangor Victory Platoon will meet at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at Davenport Park on the corner of Cedar and Main streets to commemorate the occasion.

In 1998, 18 of the men were present when a monument was unveiled at Davenport to honor them. They came from such communities as Bangor, Brewer, Houlton, Turner, Millinocket, Lubec, Vanceboro and Machias to be sworn in during the middle of World War II.

After a brief ceremony at the park, writes Jim Adams of Otis, the surviving members of the platoon will meet for their annual luncheon at 1 p.m. at Miller’s Restaurant.

Certainly, the 60th anniversary of the swearing-in will be a most memorable and moving occasion for the survivors and, for all of us, I thank each of them for being so willing to serve their country when they were so very, very young.

If you would like information about this special group of men or about the meeting, you can call Adams at 537-2282.

Coincidentally, another event relating to World War II will take place in our readership area the same day.

The film, “Into the Arms of Strangers,” will be presented by Congregation Beth El, Bangor’s Reform synagogue, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, in McCormick Lecture Hall at College of the Atlantic, 105 Eden St., Bar Harbor.

The 2000 film, which earned an Academy Award for best documentary feature, tells the story of England’s Kindertransport, a pre-World War II effort in Europe to get Jewish children out of Nazi territory.

Directed by Mark Jonathan Harris, the film is narrated by Dame Judi Dench.

A discussion led by Dr. Laura Lindenfeld-Shur will follow the showing of the film.

This event is free and open to the public.

The public is invited to join Wellesley in Eastern Maine Alums & Friends on a day trip to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

The outing benefits Wellesley College.

The bus leaves at 7 a.m. from the park and ride lot on Odlin Road in Bangor on Saturday, Sept. 13, or at other locations en route if arrangements are made in advance.

Travelers will enjoy a guided tour of “Images of and by Women” from many cultures among the works in the Museum’s permanent collection, and then view the Gainsborough exhibit on their own.

Although lunch is not included, the $119 fee includes admission to the museum and dinner on the way home.

To register, or to receive more information, write Nancy Ziegenbein, 41 Linden St., Bangor 04401 or call her at 947-7965.

The reservation deadline is Monday, Aug. 25.

People who gave to the United Way in 2002 will be pleased to know that the 33-member United Way of Eastern Maine Fund Distribution Committee, chaired by Russ Lumley of Bangor Savings Bank, has completed its work.

The all-volunteer committee, meeting monthly since the conclusion of the campaign, distributed more than $1.26 million to 74 programs at 45 agencies in Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo and Washington counties.

More than 14,000 donations from individuals and corporations enabled UWEM to “provide satisfactory funding to its partners,” according to UWEM spokeswoman Nancy Roberts.

Carl Little of the Maine Community Foundation has announced the deadline for applications for two funds distributed by that organization.

The King and Jean Cummings Charitable Fund of the MCF supports projects for the arts, education, environment and culture of people in Franklin, Somerset, Piscataquis and Washington counties as well as the communities of Newport and Islesboro.

Exceptions will be given proposals with a statewide or broader regional impact that include the above locations.

Grants are generally $7,500 or less, although larger requests will be considered.

Projects for economically disadvantaged or disabled Mainers, libraries, symphonies, hospice care and other projects related to the community of Friendship are eligible for funding through the Maine Charities Fund of the MCF.

These grants range between $250 and $2,500.

The deadline for both fund applications is Monday, Sept. 15, and application information can be obtained at mainecf.org or by calling (877) 700-6800.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.