On Monday in Monument Park in Houlton, a dedicated few braved the cool temperatures for the annual Veterans Day ceremony.
After a welcome from American Legion Post 47 Commander Laurel Farrell, Gerald “Butch” Riley played “Taps”. Then an opening prayer was offered by Pastor David Tuttle and members of the American Legion Post 47 shared a reading before wreaths were laid at each of the monuments in honor of those who served their country — some with ultimate sacrifice, others who are living history — of wars and conflicts gone by and those still raging today.
At the end of the ceremony, time was given to anyone from the public who wanted to speak. Two people took advantage of that time, Richard McLaughlin, a veteran and Sue Tortello, a veteran’s daughter and Houlton town councilor.
Looking back at a family heritage including his grandparents on both sides of his family, his father had seven brothers who served in WW II, and his mother had six brothers who served, McLaughlin was grateful for the event.
“I enjoy this service because I feel it is a patriotic duty to pass on to the next generation,” he said. “And, it is a privilege and honor to serve our country and to stand for freedom.”
McLaughlin noted that he was given that “privilege” for more than eight years.
“I put my foot on soil in different places of the world that my grandfathers, my uncles, my family and my friends had been to like France, Germany and Korea,” he added. “As I put my foot on all the soils of those places, I can remember some of the stories that were told and what great pride we always took in listening to those stories from our grandparents and our parents. We look up to that generation as heroes. I think today, sometimes we miss that. What an honor and privilege to stand today and carry on a tradition that for as long as this country will be and to stand for freedom for every person, not only in this country, but around the world.”
McLaughlin counts it an honor to stand among his comrades and said “thank you.”
He told of his uncles and cousins who gave the ultimate sacrifice of life, but he also was reminded of those who gave a “silent sacrifice” that they brought back to live each day.
“Help us is the cry we should give,” McLaughlin said. “As Billy Graham said, ‘This nation needs to return to God.’ We need to understand today that the freedoms ring because of those who gave their ultimate sacrifice.”
Tortello then stood at the podium and offered sincere gratitude to veterans who embody the essence of citizenship.
“It is fitting that we gather today at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to honor our Nation’s veterans,” she said. “We pay tribute to all the men and women who have served our country in the U.S. Armed Forces. Both the living and the dead, no matter when or where they served — or why.”
When Tortello spoke of the “why,” she was not referring to politics, but rather the fact that each veteran, including those at the ceremony, had their own personal journey leading to military service.
“Whatever the circumstances that set you on that path, you share one commonality with each other: You went and you did it,” she said. “To me, that is the epitome of what it means to be a good citizen … to go and to do for the common good.”
Tortello noted that the veterans’ stories have become “our Nation’s history,” and we enjoy the freedoms of modern life because of those who went and did.
“You gave up the familiar and interrupted your lives,” she said. “Certainly for family and friends, but more importantly, for total strangers. Those Americans you will never meet and those yet to be born. You gave us your best. You gave us yourselves.
“In this often selfish world, I am truly humbled and awed by such a generous act,” added Tortello.
Sharing a bit of history, Tortello reminded those listening that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the Korean War armistice; the 40th anniversary of the withdrawal from Vietnam; and the 25th anniversary of the town’s granite obelisk Veterans Monument.
The monument was voted on and purchased by the citizens of Houlton in 1988 to honor those killed in action.
“A sincere thanks to all those who were involved in making this happen,” Tortello said. “As a nation, state, county, town and community, we have been enriched by your lifetime of service and sacrifice. We are grateful.
“It is an honor for the greater Houlton area that veterans — the very best of good citizens — represent 16 percent of our adult population. Therefore, as a community, may we strive to fully support you and honor a profound truth expressed by George Washington more than two centuries ago when he wrote: ‘The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their Nation.’ On behalf of the Town of Houlton, thank you veterans for your service. You are sincerely appreciated. May we never fail to show our gratitude.”
