It was with a degree of sadness that I read of the Old Town school board’s decision to drop the names “Indians” and “Braves” for its athletic teams. If members of the Penobscot Nation are offended by the use of these terms, so be it. I suspect many are not.

Reference to the “Indians of Old Town” was always with respect to our community members who had ties to the Penobscot Nation. Never was there any intention of degradation, insult or offense in any way. We recognized those from the island as the same as those from Treat and Webster Island or Marsh Island.

They, all of us, were peers.

We members of the class of 1952 were proud to dress in Indian attire and put on a show during the basketball tournaments as our team won the state championship and went on to compete and perform at Boston Garden. It was with pride that we enlisted the aid of Chief Bruce Poolaw from the Penobscot reservation.

He loaned tribal headgear and war clubs. He guided us as we fashioned and painted shields to wear on our arms. He taught us how to perform the steps as we danced around the gymnasium prior to the tip-off, putting a hex on the opponents’ basket and praising our own.

We were pleased and proud to be representing the Penobscot Indian Nation.

I find it sad, perhaps pathetic, to think that some members of the Penobscot Nation are offended by that strong and respectful tradition.

And so a milestone has been cast into the gravel pit of time, and something, a fine and respectful tradition, has been lost. Unfortunately, the Penobscot Nation has lost something in the process.

Alfred P. Webster

Carrabassett Valley