By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
From the time Loring Air Force Base was established in 1952 until its closure in 1994, the 42nd Bombardment Wing was the home for literally thousands of military soldiers and their families — some for a brief period of time, others for extended tours.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Ramprats, who once provided security on the flight line at the former Loring Air Force Base attended a July 24 reunion at the Loring Military Heritage Center. In front, from left, are: Chester Field, Dave Lusardi, Glenn Hoel, Steve Wilson, Larry Borders and Gary Jones. In back are Heather Woolbert, George Tyman, David Santaw, David Priest, Denny Smith, Richard Quimby, Dana Gould and Jack O’Connor. Standing in the center is Lou Gilardi.
Recently, some members of a special group, known as the Loring Ramprats, 42nd SPS (Security Police Squadron) gathered for a reunion hosted by members of the Loring Military Heritage Center, located on the former base site. Although not the first Ramprats reunion, for many of those attending the July 24 event, it was the first time the airmen had been back in the area since their deployment.
The Ramprats provided military security on the base flight line, providing security to the bomber crews as they boarded or disembarked the mammoth planes; as well as patrolling the flight line perimeters. What was known as the East Loring Barracks was home to the 42nd Security Police Squadron and it was there that their flag, depicting the “Ramprats,” a figure (man or rodent?) complete with a cap and military carbine slung over one shoulder, proudly flew even on the day the last plane departed.
“Gary Jones, who resides in Charleston, South Carolina, was one ‘Ramprat’ who made the trip to back for the recent reunion. Stationed at Loring from 1963-65, he stated that while securing the flightline in the northern Maine winter, “was very, very cold. We were out there (on the flight line) 24/7 in the sub-zero temperatures.”
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Dave Lusardi, left of Caribou and fellow Ramprat Denny Smith of South Bend, Ind., had a chance to get re-acquainted and talk about their time spent as Ramprats (military police) when they were stationed at the former Loring Air Force Base, during a reunion held at the Loring Military Heritage Center.
“But,” Jones continued, “we all liked it here. I lived in what was called, Ward’s Village, a group of log cabins off the base. None of us had much money — we only got paid once a month — and not very much at that. Many times we would all get together and have potluck.”
“Sometimes, if we had a little money to spend, we would go into Caribou and eat at the Victory Restaurant,” said Jones, “ We liked it up here because everyone treated us so well.”
Another member of the Loring Ramprats Squadron, Denny Smith, of Indiana, was stationed at Loring Air Force Base from 1964-67. He stated he spent “two cold years” on the flight line. “This is my first time back here,” said Smith, “when I was stationed at Loring, I lived in Caribou and during my time off from duty I worked at the Powers Theatre. When I got into town this weekend, I thought I would go by where I had lived and also check out the theatre — I was surprised to see that there was no Main drag, like when I was stationed here. It took me a little time but I finally was able to get where I wanted to go and found the Powers building.”
Smith said that being a Harley Davidson enthusiast, having just purchased a new bike back in Indiana, he wanted to check out the Harley dealer in Caribou. Having no idea where it might have been located, “I was in a store downtown and asked the cashier where it was — this young person started to give me directions but then an older lady who was in the store said, ‘If you follow me in your vehicle, I’ll take you there.’ I was so impressed that someone would take the time to do this for a stranger — I followed her to Plourde and Plourde — she turned around in the driveway, waved to me and left. You don’t find many places where people would do something like that anymore.”
Caribou resident Dave Lusardi, a native of Milwaukee, spent 26 years in the Air Force. “I was stationed at Loring for 20 of those years — and I’m still here. Up here, you don’t have to lock the door to your house when you need to go to your garage.”
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Loring Air Force Base personnel who served as “Ramprats”, keeping crewmembers safe on the former base flightline, enjoyed a reunion at the Loring Military Heritage Center on July 24. A large number of former ‘Ramprats’ attended the event, some bringing family members to experience the site of the former base. Many of those who traveled here for the reunion had not been back to the area since their separation from the base site.
Clarence McLaughlin of Limestone, an active member of the Loring Military Heritage Center, served in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1955-58, then enlisted in the U.S. Army. Upon the completion of his military service he became one of many from this area who were employed in Civil Service jobs at LAFB. McLaughlin worked transporting crews to and from the aircraft.
The reunion of the Loring Ramprats saw a large number of former military servicemen, some alone, some with their spouses and children (many having no idea where this place called Loring Air Force Base was actually located) greeting each other, most for the first time since those days when they were part of the community called Loring Air Force Base. There were shouts of recognition, handshakes, pats on the back, laughs shared and stories recalled as this group of Peacekeepers were joined once again, not in military formation — but rather in the true sense of brotherhood and friendship.
The closure of Loring Air Force Base, qualified by the words suggesting the “quality of life” in Plattsburg, N.Y. was better than northern Maine, not only had a devastating effect on the economy in Limestone, Caribou and the surrounding communities but created a terrific sense of loss — the loss of familiar faces and friends in our neighborhoods, our schools and in our churches.
Membership to the Loring Military Heritage Center is open to any interested individuals and yearly and life memberships are available. The Center is open May 15 through Oct. 3; Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sundays from noon until 3 p.m. Weekday tours may be set up requested.
For more information on the Loring Ramprats go to www.loringairforcebase.com.
For more information on the Loring Military Heritage Center, located at 131 Cupp Road on the former base, go to www.loringafbmuseum.com.
