veteransmemorialpark

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dedicated, November 11th, 2002

Bertrand "Bert" Dutil - 1932

Korean War Veteran, Bertrand "Bert" Dutil, was 20 years old when he enlisted in the United States Army in 1952 when he was sent to defend South Korea from the spread of communism.

Upon returning home from Military Service, Bert was very involved in the community with the Pine Tree Warriors Drum and Bugle Corps. The corps would gather every Saturday at the Columbia Market parking lot on Lisbon Street.

Bert’s passion as a veteran serving veterans became very obvious within the community with his involvement with the American Legion, Franco American War Veterans, and other veteran organizations.

At the age of seventy Bert became the Founding Father and Chairman of the Lewiston Auburn Veterans Council and labored diligently to establish the Veterans Park in Lewiston.

In the nine years under his supervision and direction many things were accomplished that benefited the Veterans Park. With the help of Roland Cyr, Treasurer, Bertha Dunbar, Secretary and Directors; Armand Bussiere, Maurice Dutil, Maurice Marquis, Raymond Boulet and Emmett Stuart.

He co-ordinated the installation of six additional flag poles with flags of the five branches of the Armed Forces and the POW/MIA flag which was added to the United States and State of Maine flags.

The installation of the “Definition Abbreviation Stone, twelve “Memorial Stones” consisting of 2,592 veterans names.

The installation and dedication of the "Price of Freedom Memorial Monument".

The transferring of the "Honoring War Veterans" monument previously at Kennedy Park to the Veterans Park and the additional wording "All Future Wars and Conflicts" engraved after being moved.

The retrieval and unveiling of a slate that was mounted on a 4' wide by 7' tall gray granite which was in honor of the World War I veterans of Lewiston High which was stored at the municipal garage.

The relocation of the Gold Star Mothers, granite star from Kennedy Park to Veterans Memorial Park.

The unveiling of seven “Memorial Benches” and the "Remember the Maine Memorial Monument".

He also spearheaded and supervised the largest veterans event in the history of the twin cities, the traveling Vietnam Wall, along with the dedication and unveiling of the “Dignity Memorial, Vietnam Wall, Memorial Stone” dated September 28th-30th, 2007.

"The Price of Freedom is Written on the Wall"

"Bert" was also instrumental in the traveling Vietnam Wall that was displayed in Kennedy Park in 2001, named after John F. Kennedy after he was assassinated on November 22nd, 1963.

He was instrumental in instituting the Musical Tribute to Veterans in place of a Memorial Day Parade that was no longer being well attended by the public. The Musical Tribute held indoors at the Lewiston Armory has been a tremendous success considering that the weather no longer has an affect on its observance.

At the age of 75 he passed the baton to Wilfred “Willie” Danforth. Bert is continuing his service to the Lewiston Auburn Veterans Council as the council liaison.

The "Memorial Stones all have an emblem at the top of the Memorial Stone.

Currently we have:

1: American Flag, 2: State of Maine, 3: Army, 4: Marine Corps 5: Navy, 6: Air Force, 7: Coast Guard, 8: POW/MIA, 9: Women Marines 10: Military Order of the Purple Heart, 11: Veterans of Foreign Wars, 12: American Legion, 13: Remember the Maine 14: Franco American War Veterans.

November 11th, 2002

The Veterans Memorial Park formerly known as Heritage Park, was renamed by the City of Lewiston. A dedication ceremony was held on November 11th 2002. Joseph A. Paradis of Lewiston, was instrumental in getting a park from the city. He had obtained names for a petition asking the city for an empty lot on Lisbon Street which is now called "Court House Plaza". The city instead offered Heritage Park to the veteran community and renamed it Veterans Memorial Park. Afterwards the Lewiston Auburn Veterans Council under the leadership of Bertrand Dutil, Chairman, Roland Cyr, Tresurer, Bertha Dunbar, Secretary and Directors: Armand Bussiere, Maurice Dutil, Maurice Marquis, Raymond Boulet and Emmett Stuart, provided the vision, leadership and perseverance needed to develop the Veterans Memorial Park.

The James Bernard Longley Memorial Bridge stone is positioned on the Main Street Level. Longley was Governor of Maine from 1975-1979.

May 30th, 2003

The Lewiston Auburn veterans council raised the funds from organizations and individuals for the purchase of six flag poles along with the five Armed Forces flags. A ceremony was held after the Memorial Day Parade to dedicate the six additional flag poles with flags representing the five branches of the Armed Forces and the POW/MIA flag which was added to the United States and State of Maine flags which were purchased and installed by the City of Lewiston.

July 4th, 2003

The first "Memorial Stone" consisting of 216 veterans names was unveiled by Bert Dutil, Chairman of the Lewiston Auburn Veterans Council, American Legion past National Commander & past Department of Maine Commander William "Bill" Rogers, and American Legion Post 22 chaplain for 30 years, Alfred Joe Bisson along with the "Definition of Abbreviation Stone" which explains the abbreviations shown on the veterans monuments.

November 11th, 2003

Two new "Memorial Stones" with 216 veterans names each were unveiled on Veterans Day. The stones were unveiled by General Robert Windglass, United States Marine Corps and Joe Paradis, Korean Veteran representing the Military Order of the Purple Heart, South Paris.

May 30th, 2004

Two "Memorial Stones" were unveiled on Saturday, May 30th consisting of 432 names. Albert Rowbotham, 88 years old World War II veteran unveiled the first stone and Emile A. Poisson, 87 years old World War II veteran unveiled the second stone.

August 11th, 2004

The "Honoring War Veterans" monument previously at Kennedy Park was relocated to Veterans Memorial Park. That memorial monument was purchased by the City of Lewiston in honor of all veterans from the wars beginning with WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. The Lewiston Auburn Veterans Council had the additional wording "All Future Wars and Conflicts" engraved after being moved. (Which includes, Lebanon/Grenada (1982-1984, Panama (1989), Persian Gulf (1991), Somalia (1992-1995), Afghanistan (2001), Iraq (2003), and Fallujah (2004).

September 19th, 2004

The Veterans Council unveiled the "Price of Freedom Memorial Monument" 9'2" tall, which is the feature monument with a mural photo by Roland Cyr of the 5 branches of the Armed Forces lasered on the front and donors names are engraved on the back of the stone. The cost of the stone was 42,000.00. Guest Speakers were: Captain R.S. Winneg, Commanding Officer, Brunswick Naval Air Station; Captain P. B. Trapp, Commanding Officer, Coast Guard; Governor John E. Baldacci; Lewiston Mayor Lionel C. Guay Jr.; Auburn Mayor Normand W. Guay; and Maine Adjutant General John W. Libby, representing the United States Army.

The stone was unveiled by the founder and chairman of the Lewiston Auburn Veterans Council, Bertrand Dutil.

November 11th, 2004

A new "Memorial Stone" with 216 Veterans Names was unveiled by Armand Bussiere past Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post 9150 replacing the representative from the POW/MIA.

May 30th, 2005

Unveiled the first three polished granite memorial benches.

1st bench was unveiled by Sandra Ellis

2nd bench was unveiled by Roger Cloutier representing the State of Maine, Disabled American Veterans.

3rd bench was unveiled by Mayor Lionel C. Guay Jr. and State Senator Margaret "Peggy" Rotundo representing the Colette Monument Company.

June 18th, 2005

Unveiled 3 Memorial Benches, a slate that the Veterans Council had mounted on a 4' wide by 7' tall gray granite which was in honor of the World War I veterans of Lewiston High and donated by the Lewiston High School and hung at the old school for years then stored at the municipal garage where the Veterans Council retrieved it and moved it to Veterans Memorial Park. Also unveiled was the ninth "Memorial Stone" with 216 names. Mr. Raymond Jacques World War II veteran received his medals from a representative Matthew Dubois from United States Congressman Michael Michaud's office. Mr. Jacques was replacing Georgette Cain of the Women Marines Association, Massachusetts. The World War I plate monument was unveiled by Jerry DerBoghosian, World War II veteran and long time American Legion Post 22, Adjutant, replacing the junior Air Force ROTC representative.

November 11th, 2005

The unveiling of the fourth polished granite bench was unveiled by several of the individuals that had their names inscribed on the bench.

May 27th, 2006

The 10th "Memorial Stone" bearing the Military Order of the Purple Heart emblem was unveiled at Veterans Park by Maine Adjutant General John W. Libby, Army National Guard and Bert Lafrance, State Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

September 30th, 2006

A 20' foot curbing shaped into a star which represents the Gold Star Mothers was relocated from Kennedy Park to Veterans Memorial Park and is kept filled with gold "marigold" flowers every spring. A ceremony was also held to honor the Gold Star Mothers. The star was unveiled by Mrs. Fugere and Mrs. Cunningham who lost their sons in Irag.

Saturday, September 29th, 2007 a special Candle Light Ceremony was held in Veterans Park while the Vietnam Memorial Wall as here. Stephen Wentworth was the program chairman.

Saturday September 30th, 2006

Unveiling of Two Memorial Benches

In Honor of Sergeant Daniel F. Cunningham Jr., December 9th, 1969 - April 4th, 2003. 41st Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Stewart, Ga., killed when his vehicle fell in a ravine in Iraq. The bench was unveiled by Mrs. Cunningham.

In Honor of Army Sergeant First Class Shawn C. Dostie, 2nd Batallion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky. (AASLT). Son, Brother, Husband & Father. January 7th, 1973 - December 30th, 2005. Killed December 30th, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee during patrol operations in Baghdad. The bench was unveiled by Mrs. Dostie.

May 26th, 2007

The 11th memorial Stone was Unveiled.

Veterans of Foreign War, Department of Maine Commander Thomas R. Lussier and his wife unveiled the stone. The stone was engraved with the Veteran of Foreign Wars emblem. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States traces its roots back to 1899 when the veterans of the Spanish American War 1898 and the Philippine Insurrection 1899-1902 founded local organizations to secure the rights and benefits for their service.

September 1st, 2007

The 12th "Memorial Stone" was unveiled along with the Maine

American Legion Commander's , Donald Dube, Post 22, Emmett Stuart, Post 153 and Gary Pelletier, Post 210 unveiled the 12th stone bearing the American Legion emblem.

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, war-time veterans organization, devoted to mutual helpfulness.

The "Remember the Maine Memorial Monument" was unveiled and then dedicated by Rear Admiral Kevin McCoy, United States Navy. A projectile weighing 498 pounds which came from a ten inch gun on the battleship Maine (ACR-1) was retrieved from the Lewiston municipal garage and mounted on a smooth polished black granite monument. The USS Maine (ACR-1) exploded in Havana harbor, Cuba in 1898. Five of the sailors aboard were from Maine. Frank Talbot Bath, Millard F. Harris Boothbay Harbor, Clarence Lowell South Gardiner, Bernard Lynch Portland, William Tinsman Deering. The USS Maine spent her active career operating along the East Coast of the United States and the Caribbean.

September 1st, 2007

Lewiston, Mayor Larry F. Gilbert Sr., Vietnam Veteran and Auburn Mayor John Jenkins and founder and chairman of the Lewiston Auburn Veterans Council, Bertrand "Bert" Dutil, unveiled a smooth granite "All-America City" bench to honor both cities. Engraved in color are two "All-America City" logos representing Auburn in 1967 and 40 years later in 2007, represents Lewiston.

Monday October 1st, 2007

Michael Martel and Peter Arsenault unveiled the Dignity Memorial, Vietnam Wall, Memorial Stone. The emblems of the five Armed Forces are lasered on the face along with the inscription: Vietnam Wall, Lewiston, Maine, September 28th - 30th, 2007. "The Price of Freedom is written on the Wall" Beneath this memorial are tributes collected at the wall remembering those who sacrificed their lives during the Vietnam conflict.

Additional Benches donated:

Donated by: Arthur & Jacqueline Willard, Henry J. & Lois E. Gilbert, Robert R. Guerette, Franco Veterans Post ,1, Captain Albert A. Rowbotham, Maurice P. & Monique H. Dutil, VFW Post 9150 & Auxiliary, Franco Veterans Ladies Auxiliary, Disabled American Veterans, Department of Maine.

In Honor of Roland Collette, Sergeant, United States Marine Corps, 2nd Marine Division, Company C, Amphibious Tank, South Pacific 1942-1946

In Honor of Marc D. Collette, 1SG Maine Army National Guard, 133rd Engineer, BN (CBT) (HV) 1972-1992 by Jeanne Collette.

"In Appreciation of all Veterans" Linwood A. Baker, Korea, Sandra J. Ellis, Peace Time, Walter G. Smith Sr., (SAW) Walter G. Smith Jr. WWII, Fred L. Smith WWII, Retired Reverend Jerome J. Whirley, Dean G. Salvadalena, Jeanne Labonte & George Bosse, Arthur & Dolores Paradis, Korea, Victor C. Robinson WWII.

In loving memory of "Andy" John Baker, 1982-1998

An overlook of the 12 "Veterans Memorial Stones" with the "Definition of Abbreviations Stone" in the forefront and the 13th Memorial Stone, The USS Maine (ACR-1).

The "Androscoggin County, Androscoggin GEM" sign is also found at the Veterans Park. It reads: Lewiston Falls, the upper falls of Pejepscot.

"A Mitgonpontook." Favorite resort of the Indians for hunting and fishing. Home of Anasagunticooks. Chief Fort and Village of Warumbee on west bank. Coast to Canada rail and crossroads for Sebago, Canabis, Roccomeko and Pennacook Trails. Alonguin Nation

October 4th, 2007

Elections were held in September 2007 and the newly elected Chairman of the Lewiston Auburn Veterans Council Inc. is now Wilfred "Willie" Danforth, Franco American War Veterans, Commander, Post 31.

November 11th, 2007

Franco American War Veteran Robert "Bob" Levesque and Paul (Ti Paul) Emond unveiled the "14th Memorial Monument" of veterans names which will bring the total of veterans names to 2,808, our third memorial stone dedicated this year at the Veterans Memorial Park at 1:00p.m. on Veterans Day. Any veteran, including those who served in the Reserves and or National Guard can have their name engraved at the park. Your DD-214 along with a thirty dollar engraving fee is all that is needed. For an application, you can print the application below.

In appreciation of all Lewiston Auburn Veterans Council Members, (past and present) and the new Chairman Wilfred "Willie Danforth and past Chairman and founder Bert Dutil, this year’s Veterans Day laminated poster approved by the Veterans Day National Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs, United States of America was presented to the Lewiston Auburn Veterans Council by Chaplain Paul R. Bernard, American Legion, Department of Maine, 3rd District Public Relations Historian. Since the visit of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, the parks presence has been made known to thousands of citizens in Androscoggin County. The bonds of friendship and unification between Lewiston and Auburn, it's Mayors and it's citizens have reached new highs stated the Chaplain. Its also spread through veterans organizations in the 3rd District and I believe we will experience a growth in the Lewiston Auburn Veterans Council that will benefit all Androscoggin County Communities.