 |
| Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox A crowd gathered to read the names of service members listed on the Walls of Honor that were recently put up at the Northern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Caribou during the Veterans Day and Walls dedication ceremony that was held at the cemetery on Nov. 11. |
By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — It has been a busy year for the Northern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Earlier in the summer, a new committal shelter was completed, replacing the old structure that proved to be ineffective in battling the elements. And late this fall, the long-anticipated Walls of Honor, which display service members’ names, branch of military and years served, were put into place and dedicated during the cemetery’s final official ceremony for 2013 held in honor of Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
Despite the snowfall from the night before and the chilly temperature, a large crowd gathered in and around the new committal shelter for the service, which was emceed by NMVCC member Linda McGlinn. Juanita Goetz sang “The Star Spangled Banner” and “Amazing Grace” during the ceremony while Pastor William Harris delivered the invocation and benediction.
Cemetery Board Chairman Harry Hafford thanked the crowd for coming and updated them on the busy year at the cemetery. Phil Bosse from U.S. Senator Susan Collins’ office, Sharon Campbell from U.S. Senator Angus King’s office and Barbara Hayslett, representing Congressman Mike Michaud, all spoke on behalf of their senator and congressman.
“The history that you helped create turned the tide of oppression, won wars and helped build and rebuild our nation,” Hayslett read from a letter written by Michaud. “Generation after generation, Mainers have answered the call and served bravely.”
Col. David P. Cote, USF retired, was the service’s keynote speaker. Cote spoke about the dedication of the United States’ service members, the struggles they currently face and what must be done to help them.
Cote closed his speech with the tale of Maine’s Col. Lewis Millett, who joined the military in 1938, only to defect to the Canadian military in 1940 when it appeared the U.S. would not take part in World War II. After the U.S. joined the war, Millett transferred back to the U.S. Army and went on to fight not only in World War II, but also in the Korean War, where he earned the Congressional Medal of Honor, and in the Vietnam War.
The Veterans Day ceremony concluded with Hafford joining Cote to lay a wreath in honor of those who lost their lives defending the country. A 21-gun salute was presented by the Legion Riders of Madawaska American Legion Post 147 and “Taps” was played by NMVCC member Fred Ormezanni.
Brig. Gen. Brent Boyles, deputy adjutant general, Maine National Guard, gave a dedication speech for the Walls of Honor and invited the crowd to walk down the cemetery grounds to the Walls to take a look at them and warm up with some coffee and donuts.
Several members of the audience did make the trip down the path to the Walls, gazing at the over 500 names that are currently on display. A wall for each branch of the military stands with room for over 800 more names.
For more information on the cemetery or how to have a plaque placed in honor of a veteran on the Walls of Honor, contact Hafford at 435-6024.
 |
| Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox A crowd gathered to read the names of service members listed on the Walls of Honor that were recently put up at the Northern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Caribou during the Veterans Day and Walls dedication ceremony that was held at the cemetery on Nov. 11. |
 |
 |
 |
| Aroostook Republican Photo/ Lisa Wilcox Brig. Gen. Brent E. Boyles, deputy adjutant general, Maine National Guard, dedicated the Walls of Honor recently erected at the Northern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Caribou during a ceremony honoring Veterans Day on Nov. 11. |
Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox Colonel David P. Cote, USAF Retired, was the keynote speaker at the Northern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery during the ceremony held in honor of Veterans Day. |
Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox Colonel David P. Cote, USAF Retired, was the keynote speaker at the Northern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery during the ceremony held in honor of Veterans Day. |
 |
 |
| Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox Colonel David P. Cote, USAF Retired, was the keynote speaker at the Northern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery during the ceremony held in honor of Veterans Day. |
Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox Colonel David P. Cote, USAF Retired, was the keynote speaker at the Northern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery during the ceremony held in honor of Veterans Day. |
