Veterans honored on their special day

Houlton Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
KIND WORDS – Bernie McMann, kneeling, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps League Detachment talks with Hallie Miller and his son, Dana, at the Veteran’s Day ceremony at Madigan Estates.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Madigan Estates Nursing Home honored its 24 veterans with a special ceremony last Friday presented by members of the U.S. Marine Corps League Detachment, who started by saying thank you to those who served and passing out small American Flags to all the veterans gathered.
    When one veteran received his flag from Junior Vice of U.S. Marine Corps League Detachment Bill Marciniak, he said, “Thank you. Much obliged.” Marciniak replied, “You earned it.”
    U.S. Marine Corps League Detachment Chaplain David Rowe opened the ceremony with prayer and then Commandant Eddie Lake read the story of Veteran’s Day.
    “A veteran is a soldier who has served his or her country,” he read.
    Thirty-five countries fought in World War I for five years from 1914 to 1918, with the United States in the battle from 1917-1918. At the conclusion of the war, the armistice was signed on the 11th hour of the11th day of the 11th month.
Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
VETERANS SALUTED — Madigan Estates honored its veterans with a ceremony led by the U.S. Marine Corps League Detachment on Friday, Nov. 11. Those who served in the armed forces are, from left, Ray Baston, Eugene Hedman, Donald Thompson, Ronald Thurston, Hallie Miller, Ruby Sjoberg and Bill Mitchell; middle,  Leigh Cummings, Eugene Nickerson, Joseph Levasseur, Dale Desmond, Clyde Boutilier and Fred Bates; back, U.S. Marine Corps League Detachment officers Howard Hickman, Bill Marciniak, Bernie McMann, Eddie Lake, David Rowe and Berny Reece.
    Lake said, “Americans were happy to hear about the armistice, as no more soldiers were to die in the war. The soldiers could come home. People went out into the streets, laughing and dancing. They blew horns and whistles, rang bells and sang songs. They thought there would never be another war.”
    But, that wasn’t to be.
    Under President Woodrow Wilson, Armistice Day was created to remember the ending of the war.
    “At 11 o’clock in the morning, everyone stopped doing what they were doing. People were completely silent for one minute,” read Lake. “The minute was to remember all soldiers who had died in the war.”
    The body of the unknown soldier was brought to America from a French cemetery and buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
    The U.S. fought three more battles — World War II, Korean and Vietnam wars — along with more recent Gulf War/Desert Storm, War in Afghanistan and the Iraqi war.
Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
PRESENTED — Bill Marciniak of the U.S. Marine Corps League Detachment presents Leigh Cummings with an American Flag, while Albert Kelso looks on. Officers of the U.S. Marine Corps League Detachment were invited by the staff of Madigan Estates to honor resident veterans during Veterans Day observance.
    In 1953, Al King, a shoe store owner in Emporia, Kansas had an idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who served in WWI. He began a campaign to realize his idea. With the help of U.S. Representative Ed Rees, also from Emporia, a bill was pushed through Congress. On May 26, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the bill into law.
    “On this day, all Americans remember and honor all veterans,” added Lake.
    After reading the story of Veterans’ Day, all those in attendance observed a moment of silence to honor those who died and those who are still serving today.
    Then Lake proceeded to read a story on “What is a veteran?” He spoke about those who bear the visible signs of service from a missing limb or jagged scar to a certain look in their eye. They may carry evidence inside them such as a pin holding a bone together, shrapnel or another source of inner steel forged in the refinery of adversity.
    “Except in parades, men and women who have kept America safe, wear no badge or emblem,” Lake said. “You can’t tell the vet by looking. He is the ordinary, yet extraordinary human being. A person who offered his/her life’s most vital years in service of our country, who sacrificed ambition so others would not have to sacrifice theirs.”
    Lake added, “So remember each time you see someone who has served our country, just lean over and say ‘thank you.’ In most cases, it will mean more than any medals awarded.”
    Howard Hickman, sergeant at arms and Berny Reece, adjutant/paymaster unveiled and folded the flag back together in solemn remembrance of those fallen in war. After the flag was presented, the group recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
    Chaplain Rowe offered a few words and a closing prayer.
    “Thank each and every one of you for all that you have done,” he said. “We appreciate the sacrifices that you’ve made and want you to know that it is a grateful nation that thanks you.”
    U.S. Marine Corps League Detachment member Bernie McMann spoke to the group saying, “As a person whose step-dad was at Hickam Field when the Japanese hit in Dec. 1941, who had an uncle who flew B17 missions over Europe, a dad who was in the Navy, I would like to thank each and every one of you for what you have done and continue to do.”
Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
PROUD TO HAVE SERVED — Ruby Sjoberg holds the American Flag with pride, along with her son Dewayne during last Friday’s Veterans Day ceremony at Madigan Estates.
    Reece followed with these words to the veterans, “Without you, we wouldn’t be here. You set the bar. You set the example.”
    Of course, there is always one in the bunch and Gunny Hickman thanked the vets for their service, even the ones in the Army, which drew laughter.
    Finally, Marciniak simply said, “Thank you all for your service. You were truly the greatest generation.”
    With that said, a veteran’s voice was heard, “Thank you for the respect.”
    After the service, members of the U.S. Marine Corps League Detachment mingled with other veterans and then visited a proud Marine in his room. The gentleman was stricken with illness and couldn’t attend the ceremony.
    Before the U.S. Marine Corps League Detachment ceremony, Jamie Brown and her mother Kristi read poems by Greater Houlton Christian Academy English students.