In respect to those who served and now serve

To the editor:
    The Mapleton Lions Club wants to express our appreciation to the Presque Isle Disabled American Veterans Chapter 10, Cole Land Transportation Museum of Bangor, American Legion Chapter 88, Presque Isle Elks Lodge, Delmont Wood and Sons, Kelly Hubbard, and two anonymous donors for the addition of the benches to the Veterans Memorial in Mapleton. 

    Over the 20 years since the Mapleton Lions Club authorized and constructed the Mapleton, Chapman, and Castle Hill memorial, we have enjoyed the solid partnership of these veteran organizations, many other businesses and individuals as we continue the care and maintenance of the memorial. These new benches are another example of the partnership we feel with those who care about our veterans who made sacrifices on our behalf to keep our country free. Some veterans made the supreme sacrifice of their lives.
    The club also would like to thank Maine Administrative School District 1 for allowing the placement of the memorial on grounds in front of the Mapleton Elementary School. The district’s ongoing lawn maintenance and care around the memorial is greatly appreciated.
    This year passers-by may notice club members in a bucket truck, painting the flag poles and preparing the monuments for the addition of other names of veterans to the monument. The need to protect our country is ongoing and the Lions Club wishes to recognize the ongoing sacrifices needed to provide for our protection.
    The flags of country and state fly continuously and have to be periodically replaced due to the wear and tear. The club wishes to thank our past and current U.S. Senators and Representatives as well as our state representatives who have obtained and provided many of the flags that have flown over the memorial. Our special thanks is bestowed on former state representative Mabel Desmond, who provided several flags at her personal expense, while she served in the Maine state legislature. Her special consideration for our veterans is deeply felt by club members and her gifts of the flags much appreciated.
    To the citizens of our three towns, The Mapleton Lions Club encourages everyone to remember the importance of the sacrifices of these citizen-soldiers
    This monument and the remembrance ceremony held each year on Memorial Day stand as our club’s commitments to those who served. We thank all of our community partners, past and present, who help us keep the memory of these sacrifices alive and real.