Maine Gold Star Families gather in DC to remember as a nation

    Three Maine families who have lost loved ones in service to their country attended a special tribute to America’s fallen in Afghanistan and Iraq. For the first time, families from every state and U.S. territory gathered with fellow Americans at the National Mall, Washington Monument Grounds, in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the lives of those who died for freedom.      
Contributed photograph
GATHERED — Maine families gathering at the national Time of Remembrance ceremony to honor the sacrifices made by generations of veterans since the Revolutionary War in the cause of freedom in Washington, D.C. included in front, kneeling, a young supporter, Lorna Harris of Patten, mother of Specialist Dustin J. Harris, and her friend; standing, Quie Emery of Lee, mother of Sgt. Blair Emery; Paul and Dee House, parents of Sergeant Joel A. House; two other guests; Charles Stanhope, president of Maine State Society and Wendall Hodgkins, Society member.
    More than 4,000 people gathered for the national Time of Remembrance ceremony to honor the sacrifices made by generations of veterans since the Revolutionary War in the cause of freedom.
    Quie Emery  of Lee, mother of Sgt. Blair Emery; Lorna Harris  of Patten, mother of Specialist Dustin J. Harris, along with family members Michelle Troutt  of Patten, Jeff Troutt of Hermon and Captain Matthew and Vicki Arbogast with their children Josey,  Marek amd Veronica of Virginia and Paul and Dee House of Lee, parents of Sergeant Joel A. House, along with friends Rose and Tom Marcoux of Virigia attended the Sept. 20 ceremonies.
    Ross Perot, USN Lt. Andy Baldwin (The Bachelor), and Luke Russert (son of Tim Russert) were among keynote speakers addressing the audience. Gold medals of remembrance were presented to children of the fallen.  Descendents of fallen soldiers from every war since the Revolutionary War were recognized for their family’s sacrifice to the cause of freedom. A replica of the Liberty Bell was rung by troops, some wounded, representing the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. Music was presented by the Tuskegee Airmen and the Singing Sergeants.  
    After the ceremony, members of the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C. entertained the Maine families at a small picnic. The Maine State Society of Washington, D.C. consists of displaced Mainers living around Washington, D.C. and surrounding area. The organization gathers several times through the year for various social events, including an original old-fashion baked bean supper and annual lobster dinner.
FOUND – Quie Emery and Paul and Dee House of Lee found the name of Edward Hall on the Vietnam War Memorial and paid their respects to this highly decorated war hero.
    According to Wayne Hanson, member of the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C., the Society was notified about the Day of Remembrance a few days before the event, so the turnout to welcome families from Maine wasn’t large, but Hanson said a few Society members made it “to support the Maine families on their special day.”
    The Commission on Remembrance, which initiated this program, was established in 2000 by Congress. Its purpose is to encourage Americans to honor those who died for our freedoms by giving something back to our country in their memory.
    Emery and the Houses also had the opportunity to visit the World War II, Korean and Vietnam War Memorials on their visit. While there, they took the opportunity to look up the name of a Lee man who died during the Vietnam War. They found the name of Edward Hall on the Vietnam War Memorial and paid their respects to this highly decorated war hero.