LIMESTONE, Maine — Military prep students brought a bit of Caribou down to Arlington Cemetery in Virginia last month, when they presented a locally-crafted wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The Arlington visit for the Loring Honor Guard and military prep students was a first for the majority of students. Their instructor, Carl Smith, is 24-year Navy veteran who was able to view iconic monuments with the same first-impression awe as his students.
Though sights were striking to take in, the experiences from the trip resonate in the students’ hearts and minds.
The Lincoln Memorial was larger than they expected, words etched into the monument of the Martin Luther King Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial Wall came to life when Smith was able to find his cousin’s name — but students said that the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was different.
“Barely anybody said a word and if they did, it was in a hushed voice,” noted Brandon Della-Valle, of Meriden, Conn.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier had the largest crowd of all the monuments they visited, and it was there students ceremoniously presented its guard with a wreath from Noyes Flower and Plant Shop in Caribou.
A few years ago, now Business and Community Liasion for the Loring Job Corps Center Roger Felix began taking honor guard/military prep students to Washington, D.C with the help of donations and community support.
“It was a chance to see what other people have done for their freedom and our freedom,” Smith explained.
Student Claude Versailles, originally from Haiti and now residing in Boston, succinctly described what he saw on the trip.
“Freedom is not free,” he said.
Adding to the experience, the group was able to visit the Submarine Force Library and Museum in Groton, Conn. For many, it was their first time on a military base, and they even ate at the galley alongside the enlisted military personnel.
“To be on a base for the first time — to see all the young people walking around serving their country — was a good feeling,” said student Leroy Richards, a Brooklyn resident originally from Jamaica.
Richards plans to join the military himself and said that the visit motivated him to push further.
While the trip to D.C. was motivating to the Loring students, it was memorable for students at the Potomac Job Corps Center as well; Loring students stayed at the Potomac Center during their trip, and the Potomac Center does not have a military prep program.
With chuckles, the Loring students described how students in D.C. initially thought the group was security until they started asking questions — including wanting to know what it’s like up in Limestone.
Aside from the obvious answer of “cold,” the students had some great things to share about Aroostook County.
“The scenery is very beautiful up here and it’s quiet,” said student James Piper from New Hampshire.
Becoming a member of the Honor Guard requires time and dedication for the students, whose schedules are already pretty full with scholastic endeavors. Living up to high standards regarding personal conduct and professionalism is a commitment that all 23 members gladly accept.
“It keeps me out of trouble and helps me stay in line and disciplined,” said Sidney Daniels of New Jersey.
The Honor Guard members had much to say about their trip, but they also spoke positively of leadership on the center.
“I’ve been in the Honor Guard for one year, and I would like to thank (Felix) so much,” Richards said, mentioning how much the Honor Guard program has helped him. Richards also thanked Center Director Kristie Moir.
