Military news

Memorial Day

BANGOR – Some 600 walking sticks were distributed to Vietnam veterans during Memorial Day activities on Monday.

The Cole Land Transportation Museum gave out the walking sticks with green, red and yellow stickers to Vietnam veterans who participated in Bangor’s Memorial Day parade and attended afternoon ceremonies at the museum.

Museum founder Galen Cole said Monday he was thrilled with the response to the walking stick program for the Vietnam vets, and that more than 1,000 people had turned out for the afternoon activities, including an address by retired Lt. Col. Charles Knowlen of Eddington, a Vietnam veteran.

The program included a USO-type show and a rendition of taps by trumpeters from the Old Town High School Band, Cole said. Those attending included Gov. John Baldacci.

Also on Monday, the museum sold nearly 300 copies of “Quiet Courage: Stories of the Unselfish Dedication of Maine Veterans,” written by Don Colson for the museum.

The book continues to be available for sale daily at the museum and at area bookstores. The cost is $20.

Author Colson and many of the 89 veterans profiled in the book will be on hand to autograph the book noon-2 p.m. Saturday, June 16, at the museum, 405 Perry Road.

Commissioned

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Carrie Smith graduated from the Air National Guard Academy of Military Service at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Knoxville, Tenn. She was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air National Guard. Smith is a civil engineering officer with the 101st Civil Engineer Squadron in Bangor.

Smith is a 1993 graduate of Mount View High School in Thorndike. She received an associate’s degree in 2005 from the Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. She earned a bachelor’s degree in 2005 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Smith is the daughter of James Marple of Liberty and Maureen Palmer of Montville.