The weather varied from cold pouring rain to clouds and sun, but through it all a group of young cadets spent Veterans Day holding a solemn vigil to honor those who served.
Thirteen cadets from the County Composite Squadron of Civil Air Patrol, the northernmost of Maine’s 12 units, took shifts marching in twos at Veterans Memorial Park in Presque Isle from sunrise until sundown.
“It’s bringing a little bit of Arlington here for the community,” said MSgt. Jason Lister of Caribou, non-commissioned officer and an adult member of the squadron. “All of the kids looked forward to this day, to stand, even in the cold and the rain, to patrol, say their thanks and provide remembrance.”
Cadets have been deeply affected by the tradition at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, he said. There is no day or time when a soldier is not patrolling at that memorial.
Senior cadets wanted to create a similar vigil, so four or five years ago they started at the Presque Isle park, Jason Lister said. The first year, they did an hour and a half of patrolling, and this year turned it into a sunup-to-sundown remembrance.
Throughout the day, veterans stopped at the park to talk with the group and tell them how much it meant to see them there, he said.
With community contributions of food, hot chocolate and a tent, the squadron and adult members stayed dry and nourished. Outside, in front of the memorial, two cadets at a time held ceremonial rifles and marched slowly, solemnly, back and forth, until their shift changed.
Cadet Chief MSgt. Reece Lister of Caribou said he feels honored to be able to remember veterans in this way.
“When you are doing these kinds of things, you get to honor a tradition America has done for decades [in Arlington], except not with kids,” he said. “Here, we get to be a part of it.”
The squadron’s newest cadet is Alle Wood of Mars Hill. Monday was her first official event with Civil Air Patrol.
“It’s taught me to be more respectful of veterans,” she said. “It really amazes me. People have brought food to us today and stopped to say hi. It shows how much it matters to other people.”
Civil Air Patrol is an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and is funded in part by the military, Jason Lister said.
The growing County Composite Squadron has members from all over Aroostook County. They learn military-type formations and drills, but also explore careers and participate in community service.
They are involved in Wreaths Across America, collecting funds to place wreaths at the Maine Veterans Cemetery in Caribou, Fairmount Cemetery in Presque Isle and Togus Veterans Cemetery near Augusta.
The group welcomes any youth from ages 12 to 15 to join, Jason Lister said.
For information, contact the squadron’s community liaison, Kelly Mierzwa, at kelly.mierzwa@gmail.com or visit the squadron on Facebook.
