By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — What began in 2009 as a labor of love for veterans Doug Michaud and Carroll St. Peter, both of Caribou, came full circle on Saturday as the Veterans’ Memorial Park the two friends dreamed of building was officially dedicated.
Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox
The Loring Job Corps Honor Guard posted colors at the Caribou Veterans’ Memorial Park dedication ceremony on Saturday. The flag that was raised had previously flown over the U.S. Capitol at the request of Caribou native U.S. Senator Susan Collins.
Michaud and St. Peter began the mission of constructing the park as a place for veterans and non-veterans alike to visit and find solace while reflecting upon those who have gone to battle in defense of the nation.
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| Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox Representing the Disabled American Veterans organization, Clarence Mclaughlin of Presque Isle thanked the Veterans’ Memorial Park Association for constructing a place for veterans to gather at the park’s dedication ceremony held in Caribou on Saturday. |
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| Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox Korean War veteran Joel Theriault was the featured guest speaker at the Veterans’ Memorial Park dedication ceremony held in Caribou on Saturday, July 27, which was also the 60th anniversary of the Korean War armistice. |
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| Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox Phil McDonough, chairperson of the Veterans’ Memorial Park Association, served as host for the park’s dedication ceremony held on Saturday. |
Sadly, St. Peter passed away in 2011 while the park was still in the design stages. Members of the Veterans’ Memorial Park Association pushed forward, however, in honor of St. Peter and the group worked diligently to raise funds for creation of the park.
In 2011, the city of Caribou deeded over to the park association the piece of land on the corners of South Main, Nylander and Lyndon Streets where the city’s Civil War memorial statue stands. Thanks to several hours of manpower, the majority of which has been donated, work has been completed on the base of the Civil War statue, a Veterans’ Memorial Park sign has been erected, and a new flagpole that stands in the center of an impressive five-point star has been put into place.
The dedication ceremony began on Saturday with the first posting of colors at the park, completed by the Loring Job Corps Honor Guard. The flag that was raised had flown previously over the United States Capitol at the request of Maine’s U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a Caribou native.
After the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance, Michaud led the group in prayer and introduced Phil McDonough, VMPA chairperson, who served as the host of the ceremony.
On behalf of the park association, McDonough expressed his gratitude to those who have donated time and money to the cause and provided a brief history of the park’s construction.
Kathy Finnemore of Sen. Collins’ office, Sarah Graettinger of U.S. Senator Angus King’s office, and Barbara Hayslett of U.S. Congressman Mike Michaud’s office, all addressed the audience and congratulated the association for their dedication and hard work.
“I would like to take this opportunity to applaud all of those who have been involved with this project and who continue to be involved to make the park align with your vision of a memorial that will appropriately honor all veterans,” Hayslett read from a letter written by Michaud.
State Senator Troy Jackson spoke next.
“For someone like myself, who has never served in the military, it is incumbent upon us to honor the memory of our veterans. This park is a perfect place to do so,” Jackson said.
State Representative Carol McElwee, a lifelong resident of Caribou, remembered past Memorial Day parades that ended with a ceremony held at the iconic local spot.
“This is a sacred place,” McElwee declared.
Cary Medical Center’s director of community relations, Bill Flagg, was the next speaker, also congratulating the park association on behalf of the hospital. Clarence Mclaughlin, representing the Disabled American Veterans organization, thanked the association for providing the park to the public to honor all veterans.
The fact that the dedication ceremony was held on the 60th anniversary of the Korean War armistice was not a coincidence, and the line-up of speakers concluded with Korean War veteran Joel Theriault speaking about the war and how much the park meant to veterans such as himself.
The program concluded with a playing of “Taps.”
According to McDonough, the total cost to complete the park, including labor and material, is around $45,000. The association has been quite successful with their fund-raising efforts to date and have added to their funds approximately $3,500 in donations from a combination of citizens and businesses throughout the city just since the beginning of summer.
Future plans for the park include the installation of two more memorials — one that features the five service emblems and one that honors prisoners of war and those missing in action — and pedestals containing historical information placed in formation leading up to the Civil War statue. Completion of these projects is contingent upon receipt of the necessary donations.
Donations to the VMPA may be sent to PO Box 453, Caribou, ME 04736.
Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox
A relatively large crowd gathered at the Veterans’ Memorial Park in Caribou for the dedication of the newly constructed park on Saturday.
