By Jon Gulliver
Staff Writer
CARIBOU – Caribou is one of the few communities where Veterans Day gets two ceremonies. One a large gathering with politicians taking an active role, the other, smaller, event is without Augusta or Washington speak, just veterans giving thanks to those who have served or are serving right now.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Maine Secretary of State Charles Summers Jr., right, and Harry Hafford, chairman of the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery Corporation stand in a moment of silence, honor and remembrance, following the traditional Laying of the Wreath, during the Nov. 11 Veterans Day Ceremony.
At the Caribou Veterans Memorial in front of the fire department on Friday morning about 50 people, including those who served this country, family members and patriotic citizens gathered for a 15-minute ceremony.
After a prayer and reciting of the pledge of allegiance, Caribou Veterans Memorial Park committee president Carroll St. Peter addressed the crowd.
“Another part of freedom’s cost is our nation’s debt to veterans that must continue to be paid long after the guns are silent,” said St. Peter. “The highest appreciation is not just to utter words but to live by them.”
St. Peter also had a plea to lawmakers.
“Not one leader should speak of a priority higher than our nation’s most severely disabled veterans,” he said. “On this special day we need to find a meaningful way to honor their sacrifice.”
Aroostook Republican photo/Jon Gulliver
Caribou VFW Commander Doug Michaud and American Legion Commander Wayne Little prepare to hang wreaths on the Veterans Memorial in Caribou. Shelley O’Rourke, first vice president of the American Legion Auxiliary looks on. About 50 people attended the annual Veterans Day ceremony.
Shelley O’Rourke, the first vice president of the American Legion Auxiliary in Caribou, read the poem “Just a Common Solider” by A. Lawrence Vaincourt. The poem commonly referred to as “A Solider Died Today” ends with this stanza, “If we cannot do him honor while he’s here to hear the praise, then at least let’s give him homage at the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say, Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.”
The ceremony concluded with the laying of wreaths on the memorial by Doug Michaud, commander of the local VFW, Wayne Little, commander Post 18 of the American Legion and O’Rourke as “Taps” played.
Before and after the event it was not uncommon to hear the words “thank you for your service” as folks shook hands in greeting friends and neighbors.
