STOCKHOLM, Maine — John C. Sodergren, a 92-year-old World War II veteran, recently received an American flag that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol.
The flag flew in honor of Sodergren’s dedicated service to the United States during WWII at the request of U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King and Rep. Jared Golden. Staff members from Collins’ and Golden’s Aroostook County offices visited Sodergren to present him with the flag.
“Maine is proud of our veterans’ contributions to protecting our nation, including those made by John Sodergren,” said Collins, King and Golden in a joint statement. “John not only showed his dedication to our country by serving in uniform, but he also supported his local community as a member of the American Legion Post 136 for more than 70 years.”
Sodergren was born and raised in Stockholm on his family’s farm. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1945 and was in basic training when the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.
Shortly after, he was assigned to Army HQ at the former Omera Airport, outside of Nagasaki, Japan. For his service in Japan, Sodergren was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal, WWII Victory medal, and the Army Occupation medal.
When he returned home to Maine, he joined the Perkins-Plourde American Legion Post 136 in Stockholm and has been an active member for 73 years. He has also served his community as an active member of the Stockholm Historical Society, Stockholm PTA, as well as other local organizations through the years.
Sodergren continues to live in Stockholm with his wife, Eleanor.
