This Memorial Day is an especially poignant one for family members of all servicemen and servicewomen who have lost their lives in recent hostilities throughout the world.

To those families, we extend our deepest sympathies.

Memorial Day is not only a time to pause and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice but a time to honor those who served and returned.

It also is a time to express our sincerest gratitude to those willingly serving our country during this very difficult period in our history.

Their families pray for their safe return, as do we all.

Ed Cockburn, secretary of the USS Maine Base United States Submarine Veterans, reports that members of the organization will participate in the Memorial Day parade in Bangor this year.

The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 31, on Exchange Street in Bangor.

For more information about this organization, e-mail Cockburn at edsylco@midmaine.com.

Vietnam War veteran Charles Knowlen of Eddington hopes other veterans of that conflict will join him at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 31, at Cole Land Transportation Museum, 405 Perry Road, for the unveiling of two memorials honoring those who did not return from Vietnam.

In addition to an HU1D (HUEY) helicopter and M-60 tank on the museum grounds, there is now a statue and monument with names of the 339 Maine people killed or missing in Vietnam.

Led by the student senate and its president, Nathan Willigar, students of Northern Maine Community College conducted a volleyball tournament last month to raise funds for the Maine Veterans Home in Presque Isle.

The students raised nearly $1,300 to help establish an outdoor activities fund for an outdoor shuffleboard and other activities for the residents’ use this summer.

Vietnam War veteran Dan Stover of Hampden reminds military personnel returning from duty who might be experiencing any form of post-traumatic stress disorder or just feeling “different from your contemporaries,” that “you are not alone.”

If you would like to talk with someone about your experiences, he suggests you visit the Bangor Veterans Center on 352 Harlow St. or call 947-3391.

Stover also suggests that military personnel check with members of their local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapters, staff at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Togus, the Department of Veterans Affairs clinic on Hancock Street, or even chat with “some of Dad’s old ‘Nam buddies.”

And to you all, Stover says, “God bless.”

Donald Muth of Hampden thanks Reeds Brook Middle School pupils, faculty and staff for the “fine program” honoring local veterans last month at the school.

“The program reflected an interest in veterans of past conflicts, as well as current military personnel serving throughout he world,” he wrote.

Muth wanted to extend his “thanks for the opportunity to attend this splendid program.”

We continue to receive letters in praise of those who have greeted approximately 85,000 troops who have passed through Bangor International Airport since May 2003 on their way home from the Middle East.

The writers also include their thanks for the calls home, donated by Unicel, and the treats from Sam’s Club.

Norma Green of Nebraska is grateful to those who greeted her grandson Cody one early morning.

Massachusetts resident Kathy Versackas was happy her son Jeff, headed home to Colorado, was met.

Carol Griffin (state unknown) thanks everyone who greeted her son Jimi when he returned through our “great airport,” especially the lady who bought him and his buddies burgers and fries.

Pamela Mason of Washington thanks greeters “from the bottom of my heart” for meeting her son Joe, and for his call home.

Heinz Milenkovic of Illinois considers our greeters “a bunch of great, remarkable people” for meeting his son at 6 a.m.

From “the community of Logan County Nebraska, and its veterans organizations,” Jim and Marie Chapman thank our greeters for being there as troops “pass through Bangor.”

Rick Giroux of Ohio salutes our “veterans and the residents … for their wonderful kindness.”

Lois Cherin of Iowa sends heartfelt thanks on behalf of her son, and the Washington State Army Guard, who felt “so appreciated and welcomed” when they passed through Bangor.

Finally, Vietnam War veteran Mike Palmer of Colorado “can’t tell you how much” it meant to him that our greeters were there for his son.

“I know only too well the value of sincere appreciation, or the lack thereof.”

Have a safe Memorial Day, everyone.

My column returns Wednesday, June 2.

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