CARIBOU, Maine — The Caribou Snowmobile Club, together with Plourde and Plourde of Caribou and in celebration of Cary Medical Center’s 100th Anniversary, will sponsor a special ride to honor veterans on Saturday, March 9. The event will begin with registration at 8 a.m. at the Caribou VFW. The ride will feature two 50-mile loops with the second loop being optional. Veterans, disabled veterans and first responders are encouraged to participate along with the general public.
The goal of the ride is to present veterans with an opportunity to ride a snowmobile even if they have never been on one. Plourde and Plourde will make a number of sleds available to veterans at no charge for the ride. Tammy Landeen, a member of the Caribou Club, said that she hopes the ride will bring together veterans and first responders from throughout Maine.
“This will be a very special event,” said Landeen. “We want to have a day of excitement and camaraderie for our veterans and first responders especially for those who have never been on a sled. We will create a safe ride for those new to sledding so that they can experience our great trail system. We are working hard to get the word out to as many veterans and first responders as possible.”
The Loring Job Corps Color Guard will be part of a brief opening ceremony at the VFW once registration is complete. Landeen and other members of the Caribou Snowmobile Club hope that this will become an annual event.
Cary Medical Center had met with the Caribou club earlier to discuss a ride for the hospital’s 100th Anniversary. Bill Flagg, director of community relations at the hospital said that once he learned about the veterans ride he was all in.
“Our relationship with veterans has been such an important part of our history,” said Flagg, who has been with Cary for more than 40 years. “We also recognize the work of our first responders and to have an event that honors both veterans and first responders is very meaningful. It is a great way to continue our 100th Anniversary Celebration”.
Following the first 50-mile loop, a chicken stew lunch will be offered at the Caribou VFW at 1 p.m. The public is invited to the lunch which will feature stew, rolls, desert and drink for a donation. A second 50-mile loop will be offered in the afternoon for those wishing to continue the ride. Plans are to route the snowmobiles past Cary Medical Center and the Maine Veterans Home and will bring riders to Loring to see the arch hanger.
Pre-registration is being requested to determine a general idea of the number of sleds that will do the ride and the need for gear. Those interested in the ride can visit carymedicalcenter.org/veterans-snowmobile-ride. There is also a link on the home page to the registration form. Individuals may also call Cary Community Relations at 207-498-1112 for more information or to register over the phone.
