WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a statement submitted to the Congressional Record, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) recognized Harry Hafford, the outgoing Chairman of the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery (NMVC). Hafford, an Army veteran and Maine native who returned to his home state after a career working for General Motors, was a founding member of the NMVC and has served as the Chairman since 2003.
He will be stepping down from his post at the end of the year. A representative from Senator King’s office presented the statement to Hafford last week during a ceremony honoring his years of service to Maine’s veterans.
“Harry’s honorable service in the United States Army is something I am very appreciative of but in addition, what is truly inspirational is the dedication Harry has shown to veterans for all of his adult life, especially in retirement,” said Senator King. “He was instrumental in creating and sustaining a veteran’s surplus clothing organization to ensure that the needs of his fellow veterans were met. Perhaps his most notable and impressive work was as a founding member of the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery Corporation, which developed the Maine Veterans Cemetery-Caribou… People like Harry are a rare breed. They give for the right reasons and ask nothing in return.”
The complete statement is as follows:
Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Mr. Harry Hafford of Masardis as he retires his gavel as Chair at the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery. Harry is an extraordinary man, a passionate community leader, an honorable veteran, and a friend to me and my staff. Harry is special in so many ways and has quietly led countless efforts to improve the lives of others. Aroostook County, and the entire state of Maine, is a better place because of folks like Harry Hafford.
Harry returned to his home town of Masardis to spend his retirement years quietly after a long career at General Motors, where he also served as a strong and steadfast union steward. This next chapter of Harry’s life seemed ideal for some much deserved rest and relaxation. But that isn’t who Harry is — instead he became an active member of his community, continuing to serve our state and its people. Harry went back to work serving others. Harry shared his lifelong love of the beautiful natural resources in Maine by advocating for more access to waterways and working with state and local officials to provide additional boat landings in Ashland, Masardis, and Oxbow in northern Aroostook County, including one that is named for him, so that the public would have more access to the beautiful Aroostook River and its native brook trout fisheries. He was a loyal member of the Ashland Rotary Club and earned a Paul Harris Fellow for his service above self. He is an active member of the Caribou American Legion, a moderator for town meetings, a lifetime member of AMVets, Ashland and Presque Isle Fish and Game Clubs, and Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine.
Harry’s honorable service in the United States Army is something I am very appreciative of but in addition, what is truly inspirational is the dedication Harry has shown to veterans for all of his adult life, especially in retirement. He was instrumental in creating and sustaining a veteran’s surplus clothing organization to ensure that the needs of his fellow veterans were met. Perhaps his most notable and impressive work was as a founding member of the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery Corporation, which developed the Maine Veterans Cemetery-Caribou. I was proud to be Governor of Maine when this effort began and was pleased to sign the document creating the committee to determine the cemetery’s viability. Had I known Harry then as well as I do now, I could have just looked for his name on the roster of volunteers and been immediately assured of 100% success. Harry has chaired that committee since its inception in 2003 and has decided to retire his gavel at the end of 2018.
People like Harry are a rare breed. They give for the right reasons and ask nothing in return. The entire state of Maine has benefitted from Harry’s hard work for many years, and while we will miss him, we hope that he can finally enjoy retirement the way it should be.
