Former Bath Police Chief Mike Field, an Army veteran, was the keynote speaker for the town of Woolwich’s Veterans Day program held Monday morning at the historic Nequasset Meeting House. Joining him for the program providing live music were the ever popular Montsweagers. 

Field resides in Woolwich with his wife Melissa. He has two adult children and three grandchildren. He served three years in the Army in the 1980s as a member of the Military Police Corps that included a tour of duty overseas in Germany when the European nation was still divided into two counties – the Communist "East" and Democratic "West." He shared some of his experiences including what it was like to visit the city of Berlin and “Checkpoint Charlie,” the famous military border crossing used during the Cold War. Even though World War II had occurred many years before he said some destruction from it could still be seen. 

He said he developed an admiration for and understanding of the importance of military service at a young age. “My father served as a 1st sergeant in the Army and saw action in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. After leaving the military, Field wanted to continue serving his country and community and chose a career in law enforcement. He earned an associate’s degree in law enforcement from Southern Maine Community College. In 1988 he was hired by  Bath Police Department and eventually rose through the ranks to become chief in 2006. In 2015, Field was elected president of the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, the same year he was serving as chair of United Way of Midcoast Maine. He’s currently Woolwich’s code enforcement officer, having previously served on the planning board. In his closing remarks, Field urged those in attendance to remember all the men and women who have served in the military service not just on Veterans Day but throughout the year. 

Following an introduction by master of ceremonies Allison Hepler, selectman and District 49 representative, our nation’s colors were posted by Frank Petrulli, a member of Woolwich Fire Department. The Montsweagers then played a foot-stomping medley of service anthems for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard receiving a round of applause at the conclusion. 

Pastor David Ouellette of North Methodist Church provided both the invocation and Benediction. The program finished with the audience singing along to “God Bless America” followed by light refreshment served by the community’s Special Events Committee, sponsors of the program.