Thanking a friend for 30 years of military service

Because my column does not appear on Flag Day, Monday, June 14, today I am waving the flag for those I know and do not know.

I begin with one I know – a childhood friend of my brother’s. I want extend my heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Tech. Sgt. Randall S. Jack of Norway, known fondly as “Rufus,” for his 30 years serving and protecting us as a member of the Reserves and National Guard.

For 21 years, Rufus, who is an automotive technician at Bessey Motor Sales in my hometown of South Paris, was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve 76th Training Division in Lewiston.

He retired from that service in October 1995, the same month he joined the Maine Air National Guard 101st Air Refueling Wing in Bangor, despite the fact this move involved more than a four-hour round trip for every drill.

After the events of Sept. 11, Rufus was placed on active duty for nearly two years.

In keeping with the well-known phrase, “an army travels on its stomach,” I can assure you he has kept our troops well fed!

His years of service took him throughout the United States, to Germany and to Saudi Arabia.

Rufus twice received the Army Achievement Medal and, among other awards, earned the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Service Medal.

Rufus is a die cast car collector, a member of the Lions and Grange, a Eucharistic minister and an usher for St. Catherine’s Parish in Norway. He also is one of the best friends a brother could have.

The father of four and grandfather of one celebrates this special day with his wife, Linda Jack, and we who are so very grateful people such as Rufus, truly the “salt of the earth,” so willingly serve their country.

Organizer Judy Butler of Eddington reports that Bangor’s Flag Day celebration opens with music at 2 p.m. and the Flag Day ceremony at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 13, along the Bangor waterfront.

The celebration is the day before Flag Day, Monday, June 14, because of construction along the waterfront during the week.

The ceremony includes the 15th consecutive appearance of the Penobscot Wind Ensemble, now directed by Preston Miller. The free event will include speeches, poems and the young voices of the Center Drive Singers of Orrington.

There “is a possibility of several famous past patriots walking among you,” Butler said, adding “anyone wishing to come dressed as a patriot is welcome to do so.”

Jean Williams Carter of Wesley wrote the Bangor Daily News to publicly thank the “kind and thoughtful soul” who placed a “small rock with a piece of plastic under it” containing the message, “Thank you for your sacrifice. God Bless you.”

Carter and her husband discovered the rock while cleaning a cemetery lot that included her brother’s headstone.

She explained, “George Williams Jr. was killed in action in World War II at the tender age of 18, on Omaha Beach during the invasion of Normandy June 6, 1944. Junior, as he was known locally, gave his life while serving his country. My parents were devastated to lose their only son.”

To that unknown individual “who cared enough to take the time to write that note,” Williams says “and may God also Bless you.”

Your kindness greatly comforted a sister “who lost her only sibling to war 60 years ago,” she added, and she “would love to meet you and thank you personally.”

The family of Sgt. Travis Malena expresses their “sincere gratitude” for the “wonderful welcome home from Iraq” he received on Mother’s Day, wrote Dorothy Malena of Masardis.

Family, friends, and a firetruck met them at 2:30 a.m. in Oxbow and escorted them home.

The next day, “the parade continued to and through Ashland,” where “the welcome home signs and the media made us appreciate the support of the small community that we live in.”

Students and faculty, waving welcome home signs in the school parking lot; the Open House hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ashland VFW; and everyone who “came from near and far to show him that he had not been forgotten as he protected our freedom in a war-torn country so far away,” meant a great deal to Travis and his family, who were overwhelmed by your outpouring of pride and respect.

They thank you all and ask you that you “keep all our soldiers in your heart.”

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