post150nov

November 30th, 2007

Mechanic Falls

A POW/MIA dinner ceremony will be held at the Mechanic Falls Post 150.

This event will be in honor of a former POW Vietnam Veteran.

A social Hour will begin at 5pm followed by dinner at 6pm

Special guest will be Department of Maine Commander Paul L'Heureux

POW/MIA Chairman, Richard Nest

A dance will follow the evening's ceremony.

for more information call 345-9587

Department of Maine Commander, Paul L'Heureux. speaks to legionnaires and explains the growth and importance of the Legion Rider program. Two touching notes were: All of the Riders wanted the American Flag to be secured over the heart with no patches or pins above it. And second all the Riders wanted the POW/MIA patch over the other side of the chest.

"Never to be Forgotten". Commander L'Heureux spoke how quick this country is making veteran's and yet how quick they forget their veteran's. Making mention of the MIA in Iraq that is no longer talked about. It was an excellent talk.

You would have had to been there. This was a very exciting and fun and honorable meeting. It just brought a great group of veterans who had a great time in the Legion Family. Upon arriving we had a great welcome into post 150. It' always fun when the family gets together. This POW/MIA cake was on the table. "Your not Forgotten" was scrolled on the bottom. And that was the purpose of the whole meeting. We came from all around to pay honor to a great Maine Vietnam Veteran, POW who is also a comrade in the American Legion from Livermore.

Department of Maine Commander Paul L'Heureux and past Commander of Post 153 New Auburn was invited as the guest speaker. The Commander spoke highly of the high respect we all have for sixty five year old, Vietnam Veteran, Charlie Craft's, who served as an Army Sergeant, in Vietnam from 1964-1967 as an Adviser. He was only 22 years old when he served with the 33rd Ranger Battalion when he was captured in 1964 when South Vietnam was facing political instability following the coup against President Ngo Dinh Diem. The last memory he remembers before being placed into captivity somewhere in Vinh Tai Noir along the Gulf of Tonkin was a look at Bob Hope doing one of his first Christmas Shows. Bob Hope performed from 1964-1972 providing comedy, monologs specialty acts, celebrity appearances, dancers, singers, and skits. He spoke to me of other Maine POW's, Allen Carpenter and Mark Gagne. In 1964, 56,000 Viet Cong Guerillas assaulted American airfields at Chu Lai, and Bien Hoa, Cambodia and Laos. Charlie Craft's shared with me that it took him 30 to 35 years before he could talk openly about his unthinkable experience while serving proudly as an American. He encouraged me to pick up a copy of "The First Marine Captured", a biography of Captain Donald G. Cook. He also was in captivity for three years in South Vietnam and ended his service as a Marine Colonel. You can pick up a copy of his book at overstock.com. Both Craft's and Cook were taken by a South Vietnamese ambush on the ARVN, and further reinforcements from the 29th, 30th, and 33rd ARVN Ranger Battalions were ambushed and decimated. This battle resulted in the death of 35 ARVN officers, 112 Marines and 71 wounded bringing the total casualties to more than 300.

The American Legion Riders, Post 150, Mechanic Falls, Minot had T-shirts, Sweatshirts made for the Riders. On the back of the shirts are the 14 names of POW/MIA still in Vietnam and Laos.

These are great to pick up and can be purchased at the Post home.

USA - Charlie Craft's - POW (released) 1964 South Vietnam

USN - Malcolm Arthur Avore 03 Hallwell 1965 South Vietnam

USA - John Henry Ralph Brooks E4 Bryant Pond 1969 South Vietnam

USAF - Carl Russell Churchhill 03 Bethel 1970 North Vietnam

USA - Richard Clair Dority E4 Dover Foxcroft 1970 South Vietnam

USMC - Blenn Colby Dyer E3 Standish 1967 South Vietnam

USA - Walter Louis Hall 02 Old Town 1965 South Vietnam

USN - Terrence Higgins Hanley 02 Gardiner 1968 North Vietnam

USAF - Jack Rockwood Harvey 02 Gardiner 1972 South Vietnam

USA - John Norman Huntley E3 Portland 1969 Laos

USN - Joseph Tony Jr. Musetti E5 Hall Quarry 1967 South Vietnam

USAF - William Stephen Sanders 03 Winthrop 1970 Laos

USN - Neil Brooks Taylor 02 Rangely 1965 South Vietnam

USMC - Peter George Vlahakos E6 Auburn 1966 North Vietnam

Pete Bergeron, Vietnam Veteran was in the Delta, Pete is a 30 year member with Post 150 was being served hot spaghetti and sausage, bread, salad. When I was told that the monies made on the supper where being raised by the Legion Riders, It wasn't long before I was sitting down enjoying a plate of spaghetti. Was it the best spaghetti I ever ate? We'll this is how it went down. Every bite I took I was reminded that the monies was going for veteran programs and to help the needy. The Riders were making plans for a possible Christmas basket to be given to a local needy family.

Mike Downing wasn't having a grand old time serving veterans. He served the salad and tried stretching it out. I think he gave us all one of everything. What surprised Mike and all of us was that his name was picked in the raffle.

Mike won the 50 Caliber, Flintlock black powder rifle. I guess that's good Karma, he served and was rewarded. It was a great Christmas gift for Mike. Mike is a member of the American Legion and Legion Riders.

I was exceptionally glad to see an old friend, Roger Caldwell. He was as good humored as ever. I was surprised to find out that he was not a member of the American Legion nor the Legion Riders. I had a good old brother to brother talk with Roger and as you can see he was taking out the green backs to pay his membership dues and Rider dues. When 3rd District Commander Kenneth Bouchard asked for all the Rider members to stand up and identify themselves when it was Rogers turn he stood up and shouted out: Roger Caldwell, I'm a American Legion Rider and I just signed up 5 minutes ago. Roger is also a Vietnam Veteran and served in Vietnam. I still call him Tarzan, which was his Tree cutting business name; Tarzan Tree. He is remarkably still climbing and cutting trees at 61 years young. I was able to convince Roger proudly holds the POW/MIA flag vowing; "You are not Forgotten". 3rd District, Sergeant-at-Arms Warren K. Clark, enjoys a good laugh with the newest American Legion member and Legion Rider, Roger Caldwell.

Former POW honored by American Legion
Thursday, December 13, 2007

submitted to Sun Journal by: Paul R. Bernard

MECHANIC FALLS - The Mechanic Falls-Minot American Legion Post 150 and Legion Riders held a special ceremony in honor of a former Prisoner of War, Charlie Crafts of Livermore.
Department of Maine Commander Paul L'Heureux spoke to legionnaires on the theme, "Never to be Forgotten." L'Heureux spoke of how quickly this country is making veterans and yet how quickly they forget their veterans, mentioning the MIA in Iraq.
Two frosted cakes were present - one with the POW/MIA symbol and the motto, "You're Not Forgotten."
Veterans came from all around to pay honor to Vietnam veteran and former POW Charles Crafts, who is also a member of the American Legion.
Crafts served as an Army sergeant in Vietnam from 1964-1967. He was only 22 years old when he served with the 33rd Ranger Battalion and was captured in 1964 when South Vietnam was facing political instability following the coup against President Ngo Dinh Diem.
Crafts said the thing he remembers before being placed into captivity somewhere in Vinh Tai Noir along the Gulf of Tonkin was a look at Bob Hope doing a Christmas show.
Crafts spoke of other Maine POWs, Allen Carpenter and Mark Gagne. Crafts said it took him 30 to 35 years before he could talk openly about his experiences.
He encouraged veterans to pick up a copy of "The First Marine Captured," a biography of Capt. Donald G. Cook. He also was in captivity for three years in South Vietnam and ended his service as a Marine colonel.
The Legion Riders of Post 150 also had T-shirts and sweatshirts made for the Riders. On the back of the shirts are the names of POW/MIAs still in Vietnam and Laos.
Anyone interested in viewing the complete event can log onto www.maineamericanlegion.com/post150nov.htm.

Anyone interested in joining the American Legion and Legion Rider program can contact 3district@megalink.net .

Raffle winner
Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Mechanic Falls Minot- The American Legion Riders of Mechanic Falls-Minot Post 150 held a spaghetti supper and raffled a 50-caliber, flintlock black powder rifle. Mike Downing, a Legion volunteer serving the salad and cake, was picked as the winner. Raffle proceeds will be used for Legion programs. Anyone interested in learning more about the Legion or joining can download an application on line at www.maineamericanlegion.com

American Legion Riders on a roll
Thursday, December 27, 2007

District 3 Sergeant-at-Arms Warren Clark, left, welcomes Roger Caldwell into the American Legion Rider family. Clark is a Rider member at Post 153, New Auburn. Caldwell recently attended a Rider function and spoke to District 3 Historian Paul Bernard. Bernard signed Caldwell up as a member of Post 150 and Riders. Clark, Caldwell and Bernard are Vietnam era veterans.

American Legion Riders on a roll

MECHANIC FALLS - The American Legion Rider program, a group of Legionnaires who are motorcycle enthusiasts, has been a spark of interest to many new members, especially Vietnam era veterans.
Legion Rider programs are popping up around the country. In Maine there are programs in Post 153, Auburn; Post 15, Caribou; Post 42, Damariscotta; Post 28, Farmington: Post 132, Richmond; Post 1, Rockland; Post 24, Rumford; and Post 202, Topsham.
The riders participate in the annual POW/MIA Rally each Memorial weekend in Washington, D.C.; they sponsor local charity events; and provide community service.
One group is spearheading an effort to erect a veterans' memorial park in the center of their downtown area.
The program was designed to have people work together while enjoying themselves. The requirements to become an American Legion Rider include being a member of the American Legion, Auxiliary or Sons of the American Legion; owning a motorcycle (at least 250cc); or be the spouse of an owner who is an American Legion Rider.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the American Legion or Rider program can contact Paul Bernard at 3district@megalink.net Additional information can be found at www.maineamericanlegion.com

This web site was created and is maintained for historical and public relations purposes.