“It’s important for people to talk to military veterans and hear their stories,” Paul Eich, a retired Navy veteran, told those gathered for Woolwich’s annual Veterans Day program at Nequasset Meeting House on Monday. Eich (pronounced Ike) gave the keynote address during the hour-long program.

He served his country as a Naval aviator completing three combat tours. He got the Bronze Star for meritorious service in Iraq and retired from the Navy in 2012 after 23 years.

The Alabama native said he began his career in his home state as a police officer. He first came to Maine after joining the Navy and being stationed at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station. He later served aboard the USS Enterprise, the Navy’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. His tour in the Middle East included being stationed at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq. He recalled how beautiful the city looked at night when he flew one of his many missions over it.

“People are sometimes uncomfortable when they hear a veteran share his or her story,” he said. He added, it was important for veterans to do so. Eich noted he hasn’t often spoken about his own experiences but has written about them.

In closing, Eich urged people to take a few moments and learn more about the extraordinary things being done for veterans at Travis Mills Foundation based in Manchester and started by Mills. a retired Army soldier who became a quadruple amputee while serving in Afghanistan. Mills now travels the country, motivating others to live by his motto: "Never give up. Never quit."

Eich and wife Janet live on Route 127. They have three children, Cato, Helena and Rainier.

Lloyd Coombs of Woolwich, an Army veteran, led the gathering in an opening salute to the flag. Coombs is a former Woolwich selectman and town administrator.

The Montsweagers provided music honoring veterans by playing all the military anthems along with other patriotic tunes and inviting the audience to sing along. Rev. David Ouellette of North Woolwich Methodist Church provided the invocation. Allison Hepler, State Representative for District 53 and a Woolwich selectman,  served as master of ceremonies. The program, arranged by the Special Events Committee, concluded with a standing ovation for all of the military personnel and their families.