CARIBOU, Maine — Members of the Lister-Knowlton VFW post in Caribou and the president of the VFW Auxiliary recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to induct two of their comrades into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Program.
The program selects Vietnam veterans who have died due to the effects of service in Vietnam such as cancer caused by agent orange. This year 511 Vietnam veterans were inducted into the virtual memorial which serves as a tribute to those who lost their lives from service in Vietnam.
“This very emotional ceremony also helps unite families who all share the common bond of losing a loved one due to service in the war,” said VFW Commander Roger Felix.
Caribou VFW Auxiliary member Christine Pelkey and Auxiliary President Christine Pelkey induct VFW member Donald Pelkey into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Program in Washington, D.C.
(Courtesy of Roger Felix)
This year was even more special as the group was able to honor and induct Donald Pelkey and Doug Michaud, Caribou VFW Auxiliary President Christine Pelkey’s husband and brother, respectively.
In addition to the ceremony, Caribou VFW members Linwood Lord and Vaughan Hardacker, along with American Legion members Roy Woods and Boyd Nelson, paid honors to all the fallen by placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
Both Doug Michaud and Donald Pelkey died from medical issues caused from service in Vietnam, and the two now join the more than 5,000 Vietnam veterans who have been enshrined in the wall of faces over the past 10 years through the assistance of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
