A Caribou-made wreath recently had the honor of adorning the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, accompanied from northern Maine to the monument by students of the Loring Job Corps Center who are currently members of the center’s Honor Guard. It was a trip those seven students won’t be forgetting any time soon.
He stands off in the distance as the solemn melancholy sound from his horn wafts its somber tune. Its 24 notes invoking sentiment that is strangely recognized by all.
The song “Taps” originally was used to signal “lights out” for soldiers to go to sleep, according to “Taps” historian Jari Villanueva, a former ceremonial bugler at Arlington National Cemetery, on Tell Me More, NPR News, May 30, 2011.
Karen (Leavitt) Rader knew that she wanted to be a nurse since she was 5 years old; it was 18 years later that she decided to be a nurse for the Air Force and now, 22 years after being commissioned in the Air Force, she’s a Lieutenant Colonel and the Commander of the 436th Medical Operations Squadron at Dover AFB in Delaware.
As Veterans Day approaches, we think of honoring the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces. Usually our thoughts turn to a parade or a special ceremony with music and words of thanks. These ways of saying “Thank You” are important.
Rarely does anything good come out of a tragedy such as the loss of a loved one. But House in the Woods is a notable exception.
He heard her crying. He went over and hugged and kissed her, saying, “Mom, don’t cry. Just please let me go. I’ll serve my time and I’ll be back home with yas.”
For more than 200 years, the American flag has been the symbol of our nation’s strength and unity. It’s been a source of pride and inspiration for millions of citizens.
Since 1970, the third Friday of September has been set aside in the United States as National POW/MIA Day to honor the 140,000 U.S. service members held in captivity as prisoners of war and the more than 83,000 who have been reported missing from conflicts dating as far back as World War II.
A flagpole currently located on Bennett Drive will be moving to a new location at the Grimes Mill Cemetery, where it will fly the stars and stripes in honor of the veterans permanently resting at the site.
