Caribou VFW paying tribute to USNS Comfort crew

4 years ago

CARIBOU, Maine — The Lister-Knowlton Post 9389 VFW in Caribou is planning to pay tribute to the crew of the USNS Comfort, a United States Navy Mercy Class Hospital ship that recently assisted with the COVID-19 response in New York, by allowing people to write messages on a large banner hanging outside the building.

Caribou VFW commander Roger Felix, who also serves as the Loring Job Corps Center’s outreach and admissions manager, business and community liaison, and Honor Guard sergeant major, said he received the banner from a member of the Navy at Job Corps years ago.

He saw the banner while cleaning at the facility and was inspired to use it as a way to pay tribute to the personnel on the ship who have helped during the pandemic.

“I thought, why don’t we pay tribute to the people who came out and helped others in their time of need?” He said.

The banner is now hanging on the front of the VFW building, and Felix said everyone is welcome to stop by and write a message for the crew.

“Once this pandemic is over, our goal is to fold it up and send it to the crew with a certificate as a thank you for their support,” he said.