Staff Writer
Improvements at the Northern Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, located at 37 Lombard Rd. in Caribou, continue, in part, due to the generosity of donations from groups like the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary.
Recently, women from the Presque Isle-based organization met with a representative of the cemetery to make the latest contribution to the cause. The group gathered at the VFW in Presque Isle, where a $400 check was presented to Harry Hafford, chair, NMVMC.
“This money will be used for tiles on the wall – will serve as seed money for tiles the size of bricks that will serve as markers. Instead of having them on the ground, there’ll now be a wall specifically for markers for those who’ve served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard,” said Hafford.
Hafford explained who would be eligible.
“They’ll be for honorably discharged vets or vets still serving – whether alive or dead – to recognize any vet that’s eligible,” said Hafford.
This will be a “take-off on the Columbarium Wall,” said Hafford.
“We’ll have a base and the tiles will just slide in,” he said.
The wall will be located near the POW/MIA area of the cemetery, Hafford indicated.
“We’ll start with four walls and go from there,” said Hafford, noting officials with the cemetery have already met with an engineer and plans are under way. “At our last Committee meeting, I was told to ‘get this going.’”
Dot McNulty, commander, DAV Smart Ricker Unit 10 Auxiliary, said she not only supports the cemetery because it serves veterans, she also has personal reasons.
“My husband’s interred there. I go there as often as I can,” she said.
Hafford said without the support of organizations like the DAV Auxiliary, progress would be much slower at the cemetery. Thanks to such contributions, work continues at a steady pace to make veterans’ final resting place in Aroostook County a place of peace.
“We have one of the best facilities in the state. It’s not just for veterans but their spouses as well. We want the cemetery to be a peaceful place where loved ones can pay their respects at a well-maintained site. The veterans buried there served their country; they deserve a quality facility for their final resting place,” said Hafford.
“This is the second time the DAV Smart Ricker Auxiliary chapter has made a donation. They’ve given without me ever having to ask. I’d just like to express my appreciation for their generosity,” said Hafford.
For more information about the cemetery, call 492-1173.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
MEMBERS OF THE DAV Ladies’ Auxiliary gathered at the VFW in Presque Isle recently to present Harry Hafford, chair of the Northern Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Caribou, with a check for $400 for continued improvements at the facility. Pictured, in back: Carol Skinner; Janet Durgin; and Myra Cray, chaplain. Seated: Dot McNulty, commander, DAV Smart Ricker Unit 10 Auxiliary; and Hafford.
