KNOX – A hushed crowd rose in silence as the town dedicated its Veterans Memorial on Saturday afternoon.
The Little Beavers, the local 4-H group and American Legion Post 5 of Waterville’s Kennebec Chordsmen sang patriotic songs while wind whipped across the field of glory next to the town office as residents honored the men and women who have served the country in war and peace.
The monument is made of black and gray granite and its panels list the names of the country’s wars from the Revolutionary War to Operation Iraqi Freedom. It also features the logos of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. Three flagpoles bear aloft the American, Maine and POW-MIA flags. Two granite benches flank the memorial and off to the side is the town’s World War I and II memorial that was moved from the lawn of the Knox Ridge Baptist Church. A “wall of names” is expected to be added in the future.
The American flag was raised by World War II veteran Bart Ghent and Staff Sgt. Doug Horton. The 84-year-old Ghent, who served with the Army in Italy and France, said he was honored to be part of the event. Besides raising the flag, Ghent also placed a ceremonial wreath at the base of the monument.
“It was a long time ago and many good men died in that war,” Ghent said. “I’m very proud to be here and take part in this ceremony.”
The Maine flag was raised by Knox veterans Joshua Grass and Wesley Spaulding, and the POW-MIA flag was raised by Knox veterans Bob Welch and Jacob Bryant. A color guard was provided by Unity’s Benjamin Berry American Legion Post 50 and its Ladies Auxiliary.
In his dedication, Legion commander Lee Spaulding said, “It is easy to forget that freedom and democracy do not come without a price. We need to reflect on this monument and all it stands for.”
With 4-H leader Marilyn Schofield at the helm and scores of volunteers by her side, the memorial committee was able to bring the memorial from idea to reality in just over a year.
“We had been talking about it for a couple of years and finally decided to do something. Before we really took the plunge, we thought we’d check with the town at town meeting last year. They gave their approval and we went right on after it,” Schofield said. “It’s been a lot of work and we’ve had a good time doing it. We had differences of opinion but it all worked out.”
With the help of the Knox Historical Society, the committee held fundraising events and garnered more than $13,000 for the memorial. The Cole Land Transportation Museum in Bangor donated the granite benches. Local businesses contributed to the memorial and many local contractors donated time and equipment to get the job done.
“It took just over one year and I just could not believe that they would be able to do everything they have done. It was all volunteers and it is just marvelous. I’m impressed deeply,” First Selectman Galen Larrabee said. “It’s new to me, it’s new to the town, but I can see that it is pretty well-respected already.”
wgriffin@bangordailynews.net
338-9546
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