Battleship Maine remembered

BANGOR – The importance of remembering the USS Maine, a battleship that was sunk in 1898 in Havana Harbor, Cuba, was stressed Wednesday during the 108th anniversary ceremony in Davenport Park.

“The most important part of ‘Remember the Maine’ is the remember part,” Brian Emory, commanding officer of the Bangor Naval Reserve, said. “Today as we stand here engaged in a global war on terror, we must continue to honor that call to duty.”

Built in 1895, the USS Maine was the first modern American battleship and the largest vessel in the country at that time, according to Emory. Of the 355 sailors and officers aboard, 262 died after an explosion that caused the ship to sink in Havana Harbor.

Formal investigations in 1911 and 1974 failed to uncover whether the Spanish were to blame or if the explosion was an accident. The incident led to the Spanish-American War.

A flag-raising by members of the Bangor Naval Reserve Center opened the ceremony, and the Bangor High School Band performed the National Anthem and a Navy hymn.

A wreath was placed on the monument, and the Bangor High School JROTC firing squad fired three times in a salute.

Representatives of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe and U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud attended.

“We Mainers are proud to continue a tradition of maritime excellence,” said Tim Trafford, on behalf of Michaud. “It is deeply important to keep in our minds and our hearts the lives of those who are in harms way today.”

Steve Johnson, yeoman first class of the Bangor Naval Reserves, stood guard during the ceremony. Participating in the event was an honor and a way of saying thanks to those who died serving their country, he said.

For Raymond Lupo, a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, the ceremony was about more than just the sinking of a battleship.

“The state of Maine has given so much more to this country since the Spanish-American War,” Lupo said. “We need to go ahead and remember the sacrifice of all Maine sons today.”