To the editor:
I am writing on behalf of the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery Committee to once again ask for your help with a very important project at the cemetery in Caribou. This project is the construction of a footbridge, which will meet the guidelines for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and will span across a narrow area of wetlands in the cemetery that divides the roadway and the Memorial Pathway that runs in front of the POW/MIA Remembrance Park. Currently visitors that come to pay their respect to our veterans whose whereabouts remain unknown find it very difficult, and at times impossible, to visit this area of the cemetery due to the extended distance to visit under the present circumstances. This noted area within the cemetery lies between the Administration building and the service viewing area.
Visits to the Remembrance Park are essential to the overall dedication of the proper acknowledgement of those who served our country. In fact, countless visitors have commented that the POW/MIA area of the cemetery is excessively difficult to access and have in fact, just accepted that it was not possible for them to visit. Enabling those elderly or physically challenged veterans, family members, and indeed the general public to access this sacred area without limitations is simply the right thing to do, not only for our visitors, but for our veterans whose souls and spirits remain there today. This footbridge will accommodate these older or disabled visitors, allowing full and convenient access. And I humbly ask for your assistance in making this happen.
The total cost of this project is difficult to determine as the NMVCC has once again been blessed with in-kind services of upwards of $20,000 – leaving the fund-raising goal estimate reduced to $15,000 on a $35,000 project. We will aggressively pursue every fund-raising opportunity to ensure this footbridge is built in a timely manner allowing for the full acceptance of all in-kind services. The goal is attainable both for finances and for completion in 2009 with the help from kind folks like you, an example of the in-kind commitments are from our own Maine National Guard’s engineering unit with ground preparation, bridge construction, and ultimately the placement of the actual bridge.
The success of this project will depend upon the energy of the NMVCC committee fund-raising members and on the generous donations from people like you, these donations can be in any amount – no amount is too small. If each of you who have so generously donated before could find it possible to donate again, it would go a long way toward this effort. Each donation gets us closer to the realization that each area of this cemetery brings solace to the family and friends who remain even if the remains of the fallen loved one are not physically present as in this Remembrance Park.
As always, the constant offers for in-kind support overwhelms us as so many have given so much already, we have literally saved thousands of dollars and in reality it is the only thing that has allowed for the constant improvements to this the most northern veterans’ cemetery that truly honors our veterans in the way they deserve.
I am certain that most of you understand that I prefer to make these requests in person, but because of the deadline for the in-kind services, the remaining project total must be raised in a timely manner. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have and, as always, I will do my best to address those issues in a timely manner, you may reach me at 435-6024. Thank you for your consideration and any contribution can be made payable to NMVCC and mailed to PO Box 312, Caribou, ME 04736.
NM Veterans Cemetery Corp.
