Woolwich remembers its veterans
Cpl. Robert Meade, a Korean War veteran, and Debbie Locke, president of Woolwich Historical Society. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
Veterans were asked to introduce themselves. Pictured are Korean War veteran Robert Meade, left; seated are Army veteran Lloyd Coombs, Navy veteran John Kennedy and Hank Fuller, a Vietnam veteran who served in the Marines. Standing is Pastor David Ouellette of North Woolwich Methodist Church. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
Peter Gallant of Woolwich plays “Taps” at the Woolwich ceremony. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
State Rep. and Selectman Allison Hepler shares some history about the town’s war memorial. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
Reverend David Ouellette of North Woolwich Methodist Church leads an opening prayer. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
Cpl. Robert Meade, a Korean War veteran, and Debbie Locke, president of Woolwich Historical Society. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
Veterans were asked to introduce themselves. Pictured are Korean War veteran Robert Meade, left; seated are Army veteran Lloyd Coombs, Navy veteran John Kennedy and Hank Fuller, a Vietnam veteran who served in the Marines. Standing is Pastor David Ouellette of North Woolwich Methodist Church. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
Peter Gallant of Woolwich plays “Taps” at the Woolwich ceremony. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
State Rep. and Selectman Allison Hepler shares some history about the town’s war memorial. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
Reverend David Ouellette of North Woolwich Methodist Church leads an opening prayer. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
Woolwich veterans and others gathered in front of the town’s historic war memorial at the community’s Veterans Day ceremony at Laurel Grove Cemetery, Friday morning, Nov. 11. Robert Meade, a U.S. Army and Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War, placed a memorial wreath here. Cpl. Meade was assisted by Hank Fuller, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart medal recipient who served in the Marine Corps. The ceremony was followed by a short prayer and the playing of “Taps” by Peter Gallant.
Roger Brawn presided over the ceremony sponsored by Laurel Grove Cemetery Association. A Woolwich native, Brawn served 38 years in the Army before retiring as a sergeant major. After welcoming guests, he talked about the monument’s history. He noted the granite pillar was a gift to the community from the former Woolwich Town Fair Association. He said Laurel Grove Cemetery was chosen as the site of the monument because it’s at the center of Woolwich.
Reverend David Ouellette of North Woolwich Methodist Church provided the invocation. Veterans Day he said was a time of reflection, to give thanks to those who have served and continue to serve their country. Ouellete noted there are many living veterans, men and women who served during the more recent Gulf and Afghan Wars who do not take part in ceremonies recognizing their service. “We need to be aware of them too. When you get the opportunity, thank them for their service to our country.”
Selectman and State House District 53 Rep. Allison Hepler noted the memorial was erected Oct. 12, 1941, about two months before the attack on Pearl Harbor. The eight-foot-tall granite column was originally known as the “Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Monument.” In 2011, when the monument was rededicated, the Korean and Vietnam Wars were added to its inscription, along with the Gulf War and Global War on Terror.
At the end of the ceremony, Brawn said Laurel Grove Cemetery Association will again honor veterans interred here by placing wreaths on each of their graves in December as part of the Wreaths Across America project. He said people can learn more by going to the Wreaths Across America website where they can donate to buy holiday wreaths for Woolwich's veterans. Over 70 veterans are interred at the cemetery having answered the call to serve America during the Vietnam and Korean Wars, both World Wars, and the Civil War, Spanish-American War and War of 1812.
