Hometown hero to be honored during Stockholm festivities

STOCKHOLM, Maine — Hometown hero and Maine Olympian Russell Currier has been celebrated all across Aroostook County, as the area emphatically got behind the young biathlete during his time in Sochi, Russia, at the 2014 Winter Olympics. Nearly half a year later, residents of The County still recall the pride they felt this past winter and look to honor the Stockholm native with a special tribute that will fittingly take place on America’s Independence Day — the country in which Currier worked so hard for and represented with such dignity.
The town of Stockholm’s selectpeople have decided to make July 4th “Russell Currier Day” this year, while the day will also, of course, be celebrated as our nation’s Independence Day. The selectpeople also honored Currier on June 24th at their regular meeting with a certificate presented by former selectperson Richard Long, acknowledging Currier for his work and determination as an athlete. Selectpersons Theodore Nykreim and Eva Oullette, along with Currier’s parents and a group of friends and fans were also in attendance at the meeting.
The town of Caribou, where Currier attended school, and all surrounding towns in the area were enthralled with the Caribou High School graduate, as he competed against the world’s top winter athletes this past winter — making all those friends and family members who have grown up with Currier, or simply watched him compete and train over the years, extremely proud of the Stockholm native. Northern Aroostook County residents continued to watch the Winter Olympics with an increasing level of admiration, as they were able to witness the young biathlete’s hard work and determination come to fruition at the highest level for winter athletes.
There may have been no County residents more proud than those from the small Swedish community, named after the capital city of Sweden. Although, Stockholm is small in size, it is clearly not small when it comes to the amount of support it shows for such a hometown hero as Currier. This is why July 4th will not only be our nation’s birthday, but for Stockholm residents, it will also be known as “Russell Currier Day.”
“We honored Russell with the certificate of recognition, so the presentation was really the celebration,” said Town Clerk Sheri Stone. “We wanted to keep the parade the same as it has always been, which is a Fourth of July Parade, but we have also invited Russell to take part in the parade, where he will be skating at the front of the parade, because after all, that’s what he does … skate.”
For those two magical weeks in February, Currier was adopted by his supporters as Stockholm’s native son, as well as a representative for all those in northern Aroostook County, who hold such Nordic traditions in high regard. The Swedish colony of Aroostook County, from New Sweden to Westmanland and of course in Stockholm, is a region of proud and hardworking people, who have maintained such traditions as skiing for over a century, and Currier was a prime example of the hard work and pride that would elevate him to the upper echelon of Nordic skiing.
Russell spoke about the honor on Tuesday and was humble about the honor, as well as excited for his upcoming participation in the parade — an event he claims to look forward to every year.
“It was an honor to be recognized by the town,” said Currier. “I’ve always looked forward to attending the parade every year, so being able to take part in it is really special. It really adds to the atmosphere and the holiday itself.”
As a biathlete, Currier was slightly disappointed with his performance at the 2014 Winter Games, but his competitive spirit and desire to be one of the world’s best biathletes was always apparent, as he competed in Sochi with the heart of a champion, despite leaving the Games empty handed. Now, back in Maine, Currier will always be remembered for the pride, admiration and excitement he provided to all those who were able to experience his Olympic debut with him. Whether it was watching the biathlon events on television, or those like his parents, who were able to travel to Russia with their son to watch as he continued the rich tradition of northern Maine biathletes coming out of the Maine Winter Sports Center.
In honor of such great Olympic achievements, the Stockholm hero will be recognized during the July 4th festivities taking place in the town next week. For Stockholm residents, it will be a day to not only celebrate the history and birth of our nation, but also to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of one of their own, who will forever be remembered for providing his hometown fans with the opportunity to cheer on their own native son, while performing on the world’s largest stage for winter athletes.
The Stockholm Fourth of July Parade Currier will be skating in will begin at 11 a.m.