PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Private Presquey, the local teddy bear that voyaged through Europe, is finally coming home.
The bear, a gift from the Presque Isle Historical Society, flew out on May 19 with planes and crews bound for France to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
Private Presquey, a World War II Memorial Stamp bear donated to the D-Day Squadron by the Presque Isle Historical Society, sits at the airport in Reykjavik, Iceland, en route to D-Day events in Normandy, France.
(Courtesy of D-Day Squadron)
Before the D-Day squadron took off to Normandy, Craig Green, the president of the historical society, asked if they would take the bear along on their journey. Since May, Private Presquey has accompanied various squadrons to European cities including Berlin, Paris and Duxford, England.
The Facebook page, D-Day Squadron, has documented the bear’s travels over the past two months. The organization has also made blog posts, which they call “Private Presquey Mission Reports,” to keep followers up to date with the latest news.
As of Thursday, the PanAm plane transporting Private Presquey landed in Goose Bay, Canada, according to the D-Day Squadron page. The bear was expected to arrive in Presque Isle at 2:05 p.m. on Friday afternoon.
Private Presquey’s “father,” a giant bear named “Ted,” was awaiting his son’s return at the airport when spectators got word that Private Presquey’s flight was stopped in Bangor for visa-related issues.
Upon his return, Private Presquey will be showcased at Northern Maine Community College, said Green.
