Veterans Day services in County honor Maine’s ‘everyday heroes’

CARIBOU – Veterans groups around the state Saturday laid wreaths, marched in parades, read honor rolls and celebrated special Masses as Mainers gathered for a day of celebration, recognition and dedication to pay homage to “everyday heroes,” the men and women who have served in America’s wars.

In Caribou, the Lister-Knowlton VFW Post 9389 held a short ceremony at the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department near the memorial honor roll at 11 a.m. At the same time, officials with the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery Corp. held a program up the road at the cemetery.

“Today we recognize our nation’s 24 million living veterans, who represent nearly a century of selfless sacrifices in assuring our American way of life and freedom for all,” said Peter Ogden, director of Maine’s Bureau of Veteran Services, who traveled from Augusta to attend the cemetery event.

“Their example of courage under fire lifted up our nation, a nation inspired by the dignity of the common man, a nation blessed with everyday heroes and heroes’ dreams,” he said.

During the event, several officials delivered remarks on behalf of Maine’s congressional delegation. They urged the gathering to honor the sacrifices that brought peace and paid special tribute to Medal of Honor recipient Edward C. Dahlgren, a “Maine military legend” who died this summer.

In Buxton, meanwhile, a Korean War memorial was unveiled Saturday as part of the Veterans Day ceremonies.

For years Buxton has had memorials for veterans from the two world wars as well as the Vietnam War, but nothing for Korea. That changed when the Korean War memorial was unveiled at a midday ceremony at Groveville Square to honor the 77 people from Buxton who served in Korea.

The town raised more than $42,000 in private donations for the monument.

Dan Collomy, who served in Korea and is now a town selectman, said many of those who served never came home, while those who did didn’t get the homecoming or acknowledgment they deserved for their service. Collomy helped spearhead the fundraising drive for the memorial.

“We said it’s about time they get recognition,” Collomy said.

Korean War veteran Erwin Wales and his wife, Pat, put the fundraising drive over the top with a contribution. The Waleses won a Powerball lottery five years ago.

Veterans Day first was observed as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919, to honor veterans of World War I. It became a national holiday in 1938 and was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

In Portland, an event billed as the largest Veterans Day parade in the state went down Congress Street to Monument Square, where speakers included U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, state Rep. Herb Adams and Mayor James Cohen.

Veterans groups in Aroostook County held several events Friday and Saturday in recognition of local veterans.

During a dinner Friday night to honor all Vietnam veterans at VFW Post 9389 in Caribou, two local men were presented with military medals they had not received while on active duty, according to post member Peter Miesburger.

Vietnam veteran Rodney Saunders of Caribou was presented with a Bronze Star for going above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the U.S. Army. Former POW George Berube of Caribou was presented with a Purple Heart for wounds suffered as a POW in Korea when he served in the Army.

On Saturday morning, officials with Hayward-Frazier VFW Post 2599 held a program in Presque Isle, complete with a color guard presentation by the Young Marines. Veterans in Caribou held an afternoon program at the Maine Veterans Home.

In Frenchville, members of American Legion Post 145 attended a Veterans Day Mass, according to post commander Bobby Michaud. All seven American Legion posts from northern Aroostook County were invited to bring their colors to be posted during the Mass at St. Luce Church.

Officials welcomed Lloyd Woods of Stockholm, the national first vice president post commander, as a guest. Woods presented a reading on prisoners of war and those who are missing in action, Michaud said.

A special addition to this year’s Mass, especially for Michaud, was the presence of a soldier who was on leave while serving a one-year tour in Iraq.

Michaud’s son, U.S. Army Sgt. Brandon Michaud, 22, is serving with the 172nd Mountain Division out of Brewer and was able to be at the Mass during his two-week visit home.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.