By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
The 2010 POW/MIA Day ceremony was held Sept. 17 at the Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery in Caribou. The event, which is held the third Friday in September each year, took place in front of the POW/MIA Remembrance Park on the cemetery grounds.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Gov. John Baldacci greets veteran George Berube, a former Korean POW, at the POW/MIA as guests assembled for the annual POW/MIA Ceremony held Sept. 17 at the Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery in Caribou. Gov. Baldacci was the keynote speaker at the event.
Gov. John Baldacci was the keynote speaker at the afternoon event. Prior to his address the governor greeted veterans and their families including former POW George Berube, of Caribou, who was held captive during the Korean War.
In his remarks, Gov. Baldacci read a proclamation citing the third Friday in September be to recognized statewide as POW/MIA Day, assuring that no one forget those men and women who did not return from their military service or those who remain missing. There are 500 Maine military personnel who remain unaccounted for.
Other distinguished speakers included Harry Hafford, chairperson of the Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery Corporation and Melissa Graham, administrator of the Maine Veterans’ Home in Caribou. Sharon Campbell, regional rep. for U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe; Phil Bosse, state office rep. for Sen. Susan Collins and Barbara Hayslett, district rep. for Congressman Michael Michaud, each conveyed letters from their respective government offices.
Chaplain James Morgan gave the Invocation and Benediction; the National Anthem and “God Bless America” was sung by Mariah Brewer; the Posting of Colors was performed by the Loring Job Corps Color Guard, under the direction of Sgt. Maj. Roger Felix; a 21-gun salute was offered by members of the American Legion Post 147 of Madawaska and TAPS was presented by Fred Ormezanni.
The third Friday of September each year is the day we keep our solemn promise to our service men and women to never forget and always remember those who have yet to return home.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Melissa Graham, administrator at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Caribou was a guest speaker at the recent POW/MIA Day ceremony.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Gov. John Baldacci is shown here with a group of disabled veterans and Maine Guides following the Sept. 17 POW/MIA Day ceremonies. The Maine Guides volunteered their time and expertise to assist in a moose hunt with the DAV hunters.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Members of the Madawaska American Legion Post 147 presented a 21-gun-salute during the recent POW/MIA ceremony at the NMVC in Caribou.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Gov. John E. Baldacci shakes the hand of 9-year-old Emma Collins, a member of the County Patriot Young Marines Organization, prior to giving his remarks at the annual POW/MIA Ceremony held at the Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery.
