CARIBOU, Maine – Over 40 people gathered at Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Caribou Friday to remember soldiers who have been taken prisoner or lost during battle.
Every year, the cemetery committee hosts a ceremony honoring National POW/MIA Recognition Day, which falls on the third Friday in September.
During the brief ceremony, members of local veterans organizations and delegates from U.S. senators Angus King and Susan Collins and congressman Jared Golden vowed never to forget the sacrifices of veterans and those who have not yet returned.
Loring Job Corps Honor Guard presented the colors at the start of the ceremony. Honor Guard and Caribou VFW Post 9389 commander Roger Felix read the names of prisoners of war and those missing in action from the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
Members of the Stockholm American Legion Post 136 performed the rifle volley salute as Roy Woods and Dennis Burby placed a wreath in front of the POW/MIA memorial.
In Maine, there are 472 soldiers missing in action from World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War, according to the Department of Defense.
“As a country, we leave no one behind. We will continue searching for them,” Felix said.
