Millinocket honors soldier

MILLINOCKET – Dustin Harris lived in Patten and was killed in Iraq, but he was born at Millinocket Regional Hospital, and his loss was keenly felt in all of the Katahdin region.

That’s why the Town Council and three local veterans groups honored the late Army specialist with a special resolution that councilors presented to his father, Scott Harris, and his grandfathers Thursday night.

With white-gloved salutes from members of Disabled American Veterans’ Chapter 22 of Medway, VFW Post 4154 of Millinocket and American Legion Post 80 of Millinocket, Harris took the framed proclamation from council Chairman David Nelson as the council and audience rose to its feet in respect.

“Our town thanks you, our region thanks you and our country thanks your family for your son’s service to this country,” Nelson said Thursday. “To Dustin’s family, I would like you to know that the pride you feel for this young man is felt by everyone in this community.”

Harris was visibly moved.

“It was beautiful,” he said after the ceremony Thursday. “We have gotten a lot of support, overwhelming support. Everybody has been there for us.”

Harris, a member of the Army’s 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, was killed April 6. The 21-year-old was on foot patrol with members of the 101st Airborne Division in Bayji, 150 miles north of Baghdad, when an improvised explosive device detonated nearby, Army officials said.

While serving in Iraq, Harris garnered a host of awards and medals, including a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and an Army Good Conduct Medal. He was described as a natural leader who put himself in harm’s way rather than have others face the risk.

More than 1,000 people attended his funeral in Patten on April 17. Three days earlier, Town Manager Eugene Conlogue wrote Scott and Lorna Harris, Dustin’s mother, offering condolences and asking them to attend the council meeting so they and their son could be honored.

“No words will ever fill the empty spot in your hearts, but I pray the outpouring of the community’s good will, concern and support for you and your family will be of comfort to you in the days and years ahead,” Conlogue wrote.

The brief ceremony was tinged with sadness. Some councilors’ voices were graveled with emotion as they thanked the Harris family for raising such a fine son.

Some audience members had tears in their eyes and the room was silent as councilors or veterans’ group leaders spoke.

“You are supported and you are loved by our community. We thank you for coming and we thank you for your great sacrifice,” Nelson told the family.