Caribou Veterans Day ceremony honors sacrifices of military heroes and families

3 months ago

CARIBOU, Maine – Despite a brief period of rain, it was standing room only at the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery on Veterans Day.

Over 70 people, including families, veterans and other community members, came out Monday and paid tribute to those who served in the military and their loved ones. 

Many speakers reminded the audience that it’s not just soldiers who have made sacrifices during conflicts. Family members have always held down the front at home and lived every day knowing that their parents, spouses and other relatives might not return.

CARIBOU, Maine — Nov. 11, 2024 — Members of Stockholm American Legion Post 136 perform the honorary rifle volley during a ceremony at Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Caribou Monday. (Melissa Lizotte | Aroostook Republican)

Keynote speaker Vaughn Hardacker, a Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War, recalled a story he read from a fellow Marine veteran recently.

Hardacker’s comrade and a fellow volunteer were guarding a veterans cemetery in Oklahoma when they saw a 1960s or ‘70s-era Cadillac Deville pull up right before the gates were set to close.

Soon, an elderly woman got out of the car. She placed flowers over the gravesites of her father, a World War I soldier; her husband and uncle, both of whom served in World War II; and her sons, who fought in Vietnam.

“All of them died in action,” Hardacker said.

The woman told Hardacker’s comrade that it might be the last time she would ever visit her loved ones again. So he and the other guard quickly drove to the cemetery’s front gates and saluted the woman as she drove out.

As the story goes, the men believe that they saw her salute them in return.

“It takes generations to make sure we have freedom,” said Roger Felix, commander of Caribou VFW Post 9389. “It’s not the soldier going off into battle that has the toughest job, it’s the family who stays behind.”

That sentiment echoed throughout the guest speakers, who included Roy Woods, chairperson of the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery committee; Wanda Smith, Caribou American Legion Post 15, who led the opening and closing prayers; and representatives from the offices of U.S. senators Angus King and Susan Collins and U.S. Representative Jared Golden.

Many also acknowledged the 70th anniversary of Veterans Day, which was given its current name in 1954. The holiday began on Nov. 11, 1919 as Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I.

The short ceremony included the presentation of colors and arms from the Loring Job Corps Honor Guard and Caribou Fire & Ambulance. Caribou scouts from Troop 184 were also present.

Limestone resident Helena Garrett performed the national anthem. Members of the Stockholm American Legion Post 136 enacted the honorary rifle volley. Hardacker and Woods laid and saluted the veterans memorial wreath.