HODGDON, Maine — Thursday morning was a time for good food, good friends and a few war stories as about 150 veterans and their guests filled Hodgdon’s gymnasium for the 21st annual JMG Veterans Breakfast.
The breakfast marked the first time since 2019 that area veterans could gather inside Hodgdon’s gymnasium for the annual event. The program was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 and last year, a drive-through meal was served with no in-person ceremony.
Sponsored by the Hodgdon JMG program, the event is held each year as a tribute to the men and women who serve or served in the armed forces and featured a meal of eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes and muffins.
“I think the veterans come for the camaraderie,” said Hodgdon JMG specialist Jason Little. “And our kids really enjoy getting to spend time with the veterans, thanking them for their service.”
The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Explorer Program opened the ceremony with a display of flags, along with the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of the Star Spangled Banner by the Hodgdon High School chorus.
Superintendent/High School Principal Tyler Putnam welcomed those in attendance, saying the JMG Veterans Breakfast was one of his favorite things to see at SAD 70.
“I thank you all who have served for the sacrifices you have made to ensure we all have the freedoms we have afforded to us,” Putnam said. “This class of JMG students is what Hodgdon is all about. The students were here at 5:30 a.m. setting up. It’s a testament to how much our school community loves our veterans.”
Dale Foley of Houlton was one of many veterans to attend the service. Foley was also a student at the very first JMG Breakfast held in 2001. Foley served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper after graduating from high school in 2003.
“The first year we did this it was fairly well attended,” Foley said. “I think we only needed half the gym at first, but it has certainly grown over the years.”
Charlie Clark of the American Legion Post No. 47 used the opportunity to encourage any veterans who were not members of the Legion to consider joining the group.
“If you are not a member of the Legion, if you have let your dues run out … it would be nice to see you back,” Clark said. “Everyone we have is doing two or three jobs. The more people we have, the more we can do and the easier the jobs are.”
Craig Larrabee, president and CEO of JMG (formerly referred to as Jobs for Maine Grads), served as the guest speaker for the ceremony.
“On behalf of 12,384 kids that we work with JMG throughout the state, I want to personally thank you for your service,” Larrabee said. “I want you all to know that we tell our students that we can never take our freedoms for granted.”
Five service flags were donated to the school for use in the JMG program. A U.S. Navy flag was donated by former Principal Mary Harbison in honor of Aldo, Robert and Atillio Carbone, who all served in the Navy during World War II. The flag was also dedicated to Michael Brombosi, who is serving on the U.S.S. Detroit, by Rick and Karen Sattler.
Guidance Director Bernadette Willette donated a U.S. Army flag, dedicated to Chester Willette, who served in World War II. A U.S. Marines flag was donated by Regina McCombs and dedicated to William Sullivan, a WWII veteran who landed on Iwo Jima.
A U.S. Coast Guard flag was dedicated to John Joseph Jr. and a U.S. Air Force flag was dedicated to Gary Carr, who served in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. Both flags were donated by Bernard Reece, Hodgdon’s first JMG specialist.
Students from Hodgdon Middle/High School decorated the gymnasium in red, white and blue, while elementary students drew pictures thanking the veterans for their service.
Members of the Mill Pond fifth- and sixth-grade chorus and Hodgdon High School chorus, under the direction of Sharyn Walker, and the Middle/High School band, under the direction of Scott Walker, all performed patriotic musical selections to entertain the veterans.
HODGDON, Maine — November 10, 2022 — Sadie Thompson takes a breakfast order from Scott Brewer at Thursday’s 21st annual JMG Veterans Breakfast. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HODGDON, Maine — November 10, 2022 — Craig Larrabee, president and CEO of JMG (formerly known as Jobs for Maine Grads) served as the guest speaker for Thursday’s event. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HODGDON, Maine — November 10, 2022 — Enjoying a conversation at Thursday morning’s JMG Veterans Breakfast is Kai Libby of Cary Plantation. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
