HODGDON, Maine — Honoring the contributions made by veterans is not just limited to Veterans’ Day.
Nearly 200 veterans and their guests filled Hodgdon’s gymnasium Friday morning for the 18th annual Veterans Breakfast featuring a meal of eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes and more. Sponsored by the Hodgdon JMG program, the event is held each year as a tribute to the men and women who serve or did serve in the armed forces.
“It is such an honor for us to welcome you to our school,” said Olivia Morris, Hodgdon JMG president.
Richard McLaughlin was the guest speaker at the 18th annual Hodgdon JMG Veterans’ Breakfast Friday morning.
(Staff Photo/Joseph Cyr)
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection color guard 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.
Tyler Putnam, assistant principal at Hodgdon Middle-High School, said Friday’s ceremony holds a special place in his heart.
“My family, like many of you here today, has many veterans in it,” he said. “Some of them, I am proud to say, are here today. And some are smiling down upon us from above.”
One of those family members who passed on was Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Henderson of Hodgdon.
“In this very gym as a child, I saw Aaron as a hero as he played for the Hodgdon Hawks boys varsity basketball team,” Putnam said. “Then as an adult, he became my lifetime hero with his military service and by paying the ultimate price for my freedom. This is a special moment for our students to welcome you here today, to see the reason we have the freedoms we do.”
Houlton Police Chief Tim DeLuca speaks to veterans Friday morning at the 18th annual Hodgdon JMG Veterans Breakfast event.
(Staff Photo/Joseph Cyr)
New this year was a video slideshow, where service members were able to submit photos to be included. The JMG students also created a video where they asked students and staff such questions as “What do you think the world would be like without veterans?” and “What does Veterans’ Day mean to you?”
Grady McKeough, an intern for U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, read a letter from the congressman. “Today we gather to honor the service and sacrifice of veterans across our country. Here in Maine we have a proud tradition of military service. We all know neighbors, family members or friends who we can thank for their service today. As we pause and reflect on what American veterans have done to protect us, it is our solemn duty to think about what we can do for them as well.”
Richard McLaughlin, a U.S. Army veteran who served in South Korea, was the guest speaker for the event.
“If a program like this one today doesn’t move you with some kind of emotion, I don’t know what does,” McLaughlin said.
He encouraged those veterans who have received support over the years to take a proactive role in helping new veterans receive services.
Hodgdon JMG President Olivia Morris, right, speaks to the crowd Friday at the 18th annual JMG Veterans’ Breakfast. With Morris is Lauren McGillicuddy, JMG vice president.
(Staff Photo/Joseph Cyr)
“We are losing too many young people,” he said. “I encourage each one of you, as veterans, to help a young veteran. I also encourage you to be vocal. Each and every veteran in this room, don’t sit back and say there is no help. We can get you help through the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Don’t go without help. And if you have gotten help, don’t go without helping someone else.”
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 WWII. The flag was also dedicated to Michael Brombosi, who is currently 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 WWII. A U.S. Marines flag was donated by Regina McCombs and dedicated to William Sullivan, a WWII veteran who landed on Iwo Jima.
Hodgdon JMG student Trinitee Neher serves up some orange juice to veterans Friday at the 18th annual JMG Veterans’ Breakfast event at Hodgdon Middle-High School.
(Staff Photo/Joseph Cyr)
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, performed patriotic musical selections to entertain the veterans.
