Staff Writer
HODGDON — In 1943, Forrest “Frosty” Quint was fighting enemy forces in Europe. Sixty-four years after his tour of duty, the Hodgdon veteran was formally recognized for his selfless service.
Pioneer Times Photo/Sarah Berthiaume
HONORED — An emotional Forrest Quint, a World War II veteran from Hodgdon who is pictured here with his wife Betty, reacts after receiving the series of medals he earned for his service with the U.S. Army. Quint received the medals at the annual Veteran’s Breakfast at Hodgdon High School last Friday.
During a surprise Nov. 9 presentation, the 83-year-old received a series of military honors — the Army Occupation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (with four bronze stars), the French Fourragere and the World War II victory medal.
Tears welled up in Quint’s eyes as he saw, for the first time, the honors he had earned so long ago.
“Thank you for this,” he said, holding a display box with his medals and photograph. “I’ve waited 60 years for this.”
Surrounded by family and friends, Quint received a standing ovation from the crowd in attendance last week. The presentation was made at the annual Veteran’s Day Breakfast, an event organized by Jobs for Maine’s Grad students at Hodgdon High School.
A representative from Congressman Mike Michaud’s office made the presentation.
“Since the beginning of our nation’s history, our veterans have answered the call of duty with dignity, with courage and with great honor. These brave men and women of our Armed Forces have never flinched in the face of danger,” said Michaud’s written statement. “Forrest Quint is no exception.”
An 18-year-old, Quint missed his high school graduation to join the U.S. Army on May 12, 1943. On Nov. 26 of that year, he left Hodgdon to join the forces fighting overseas. While with the Army’s 121st Cavalry Reconnaissance Division, he participated in four major World War II battles including the northern France campaign, the Rhineland campaign, the central Europe campaign and the Normandy campaign. This service added four bronze stars to his campaign medal.
Quint was also part of the unit that, on May 6, 1945, rescued Belgian monarch King Leopold III and later, Charles De Gaulle, the French military leader — efforts which earned Quint and his unit the French Fourragere.
Pioneer Times Photo/Sarah Berthiaume
A PROUD FAMILY — Forrest Quint, seated next to his wife Betty, holds the medals he earned during his service with the U.S. Army in World War II. Surrounded by members of his family, Quint received the medals during a surprise presentation last week at Hodgdon High School.
Like many other servicemen, he returned his to life late in 1945 never having received his medals. Friend Almon Hemore and U.S. Rep. Michaud’s office helped make that possible.
Plenty of other well-wishers were on hand at the veterans’ breakfast, including State Sen. Roger Sherman and Rep. Richard Cleary.
“It is actions such as yours that have resulted in your generation getting that most appropriate label: ‘The Greatest Generation’,” Cleary told Quint.
Hodgdon Principal Clark Rafford encouraged those in attendance to express appreciation to veterans and to consider servicemen and women an important part of history.
“What you see out here before you is living history,” he said, motioning to the veterans gathered around the breakfast tables in the gym. “When you have an opportunity to thank them for their service to the country, do so, and, if you have the chance, speak with them, learn more about their piece of history.”
