Even three Purple Hearts cannot erase the memories of what it was like for Leon “Mike” Gallant to serve in, and return from, Vietnam in the mid-1960s.

But so that the troops and their families will “never go through what we did,” Gallant, other Vietnam veterans and wives of Maine Army National Guard members have formed the A Company Family Support Program for members of Company A, 133rd Engineer Battalion of Belfast who are deployed in Iraq.

Now retired after 20 years with that unit, and known affectionately to all as “GI Joe,” Gallant wrote that the committee is reaching out to all corners of the state to raise money “to help the kids keep busy this summer without Dad or Mom.”

The committee has planned day trips to Bar Harbor Funland, among other activities, and in part with the assistance of the Marsh River Singers.

A benefit concert for the Company A Family Support Program will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, June 4, and at the same time Saturday, June 5, at Belfast Area High School.

Tickets are $12 each and can be reserved by calling Gallant, 342-3779 or Dick Desmarais, 548-2868.

Tickets will be available at the door while they last.

The committee is grateful to the Marsh River Singers, who are a part of Marsh River Theatre in Brooks, for their assistance and support.

The committee has previously prepared a lobster bake for Guard family members and hosted a special family dinner on Mother’s Day, according to Gallant.

The committee also sends packages to members of the military on a regular basis.

If you would like to help with this effort, call Gallant or Desmarais, or send donations or suggestions to A Company Family Support Program, P.O Box 554, Belfast 04915.

Philip Eckert reports that the Korean War Veterans of Burton-Good-Sargent Chapter One will sell carnations during regular business hours, Friday, May 28, Saturday, May 29, and Sunday, May 30, at Wal-Mart stores in Bangor, Brewer, Ellsworth and Palmyra; at Shaw’s Supermarket on Main Street in Bangor; and at Marden’s in Brewer.

Proceeds will benefit the Korean War Memorial at Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor.

The monument honors all members of the Maine military who lost their lives in the Korean War.

Eckert wrote that the veterans “appreciate the beautiful flowers” donated by Ledgewood Gardens and Wiswell Farm Greenhouses in Orrington “that decorate our Memorial.”

Longtime educator and soccer coach Bob Dyer is retiring from Katahdin High School.

A reception honoring Dyer will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 29, at Katahdin High School gymnasium in Stacyville.

The public is cordially invited to attend the reception, and wish Coach Dyer well as he embarks upon this new phase of his life.

Happy retirement, Bob!

Garelick Farms and the Bangor YMCA’s fourth annual Main Street Mile Milk Run begins with registration from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Saturday, June 12, at Best Inn on Main Street in Bangor.

Registration is $12 for individuals, $30 for families, and $36 for three-person teams.

Carrie Anderson-Paquette reports participants can obtain a brochure or register until 6 p.m. Friday, June 11, at the Bangor YMCA on Hammond Street.

The one-mile event includes the W. S. Emerson Competitive Run for experienced runners with a qualifying time of 7 minutes or under; the 92.9 WEZQ-FM Recreational Run for those unqualified for the competitive category; and the Bangor Daily News Family Fun Walk for those who prefer to take it slow, she wrote.

Teams participate in the Snowman Printing Team competition.

At the post-run celebration in West Market Square, 50 awards and prizes totaling more than $1,000 will be given.

“There will be loads of great giveaways just for participating,” Anderson-Paquette said. “In fact, last year, most participants left with prizes.”

The Women in the Curriculum and Women’s Studies Program at the University of Maine in Orono is accepting nominations for the Maryann Hartman Awards, which are presented in the fall.

The awards are given to Maine women who have distinguished themselves in the arts, politics, sports, sciences, business, education or community service, providing inspiration to others.

To ensure your nominee has not already received the award, visit www.umaine.edu/wic.

For more information or to obtain a nomination form, call Angela Olson, 581-1228, or visit the WIC office, 101 Fernald Hall on the Orono campus. The nomination deadline is Friday, June 25.

To request a nomination form by e-mail, write angela.olson@umit.maine.edu.

Unfortunately, Allen Monroe of the Milo Historical society provided me the day, date and time for last year’s MHS Antique Appraisal Fair, which was held last Saturday. There is no fair this weekend.

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