McQuarrie presented medals

Houlton Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
HAPPY VETERAN — Clifford McQuarrie, 92, center received his World War II medals 70 years after his enlistment in the U.S. Army, as Rachel Smith, constituent service representative from Congressman Michael Michaud’s office and Almon “Tiny” Hemore, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 10 Service Officer, join him at his home for the presentation.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
HOULTON — The serviceman cannot recall much about his time in the U.S. Army, but he knows receiving his medals has been a long time coming.
    “This recognition of your service to our country is long overdue,” wrote Rep. Michael Michaud. “The members of our nation’s military sacrifice much and risk their lives to protect our citizens and to defend our freedom and democracy. Americans are indebted to you and to your fellow soldiers for the sacrifices that you have made for our country.”
    Clifford McQuarrie of Houlton, 92, was still when Almon “Tiny” Hemore, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 10 Service Officer, presented him with a brown wooden box containing three shiny gold medals. Rachel Smith, constituent service representative from Michaud’s office, read him the rest of the letter from the congressman.
    “After many years of only having the memories and the stories of your selfless dedication to our country, I am pleased that you have been able to acquire your medals so that you may be properly recognized for your service to our nation,” wrote Michaud. “I join a grateful nation in thanking you for your honored service to our nation.”
    Two of McQuarrie’s grandchildren, Andrew Nightingale and Jon McQuarrie, were on hand to watch the ceremony.
    As he sat quietly looking at the medals, McQuarrie was thoughtful.
    “I want to thank him [Tiny] for making this box,” he said.
    Even though McQuarrie shied away from the spotlight, when he was asked if it was nice to receive the recognition, he said, “Finally. Yes.”
    The three presented medals were for American Defense, Good Conduct and the European, African Middle Eastern campaign.
    “The Good Conduct Medal is received by military service members who served during a conflict/war and showed outstanding leadership and dedication,” said Smith. “The European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is given to the service men and women who participated in one or more of the major battles of World War II and the American Defense Medal is given to those who were enlisted during the time of war.”
    “He was due his medals all of this time,” added Hemore, as Christine Nightingale, who affectionately calls McQuarrie Grampie-Dad, echoed the sentiment, “You still deserve them.”
    It’s been nearly 70 years since McQuarrie joined the U.S. Army for World War II. He enlisted on October, 29 1940 in Houlton, but wasn’t called to service until November 13, 1941.
    “I was a little bit of everything,” he said of his service, but he was mainly a linesman.
    “I operated a teletype machine,” added McQuarrie.
    But when looking at his discharge papers, it was more than just a hum-drum job. When he was told more information would be learned from his paperwork, he smiled and said, “That’s what I was afaid of.”
    “He was a field lineman of a single core outfit that did installation maintenance work on the telephone lines and repaired lines that were needed in captured towns and set up lines where necessary,” read his document.
    “Basically, when the guys went in, made progress and captured areas; he went in and set up communications for them,” said McQuarrie’s eldest son Steve.
    Though raised on a southern Aroostook farm, McQuarrie saw a wide portion of the world while serving in the Army.
    “I left New York and went to Casablanca,” he recalled. “After a year and a half or so, I moved to Italy and from there to France and then Germany.”
    His son began to “tell” on him and asked his father, “What did you do when you weren’t working?”
    With a grin, he said, “Just travel.” Failing to mention he was the Army team’s ringer against opponents.
    “Played baseball,” said Steve. “Yes, played baseball,” he smirked.
    “He played everywhere over in Europe,” added his son.
    After he “soldiered out” as it was called, “we made it back home,” McQuarrie said.
    Honorably discharged, McQuarrie left the war far behind him and concentrated on becoming a family man, as he married his first wife, Helen McLaughlin.
    Steve noted his father had a chance to try out for the Brooklyn Dodgers when he got home. But, McQuarrie never did.
    “I had a good job, was married at the time and had my oldest in the cradle,” he said.
    “He thought he was too old at 26,” said Steve.
    But, McQuarrie never left baseball as he caught for the semi-pro Houlton Collegians.
    “I had more fun with the team … a barrel of it,” he said.
    Wayne Pierce, McQuarrie’s stepson tossed out the fact that “there wasn’t anyone he couldn’t throw out from catcher to second base. He didn’t have to leave the catcher’ squatting position to do that. They still talk about what kind of an arm he had.”
    Always humble, McQuarrie said, “Someone is squawking on me, aren’t they?”
    Nightingale added that she knew his “character was excellent” because his papers proved it. In a joking manner, he was asked, “You were a single young man in the Army overseas and you were good? You didn’t tell them all the stories?”
    “Ya. Right, “he said. “I just played baseball, that’s all.”
    McQuarrie has been married to Ella [Thwaites] of Hodgdon for the last 35 years. Together they have seven children — Steve McQuarrie, Tom McQuarrie and Brian McQuarrie, along with Nightingale, Pierce, Jim Bell and Ted Bell.