supper

Volunteers Appreciation Supper

The evening began with Eric Tiner and Peter Arsenault welcoming the guest and presenting them with "Certificates of Merit" from the Fortin Group, Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall for those who served as volunteers during the visit of the traveling Vietnam Wall.

Many of the local veterans who have been involved in the community were present. Newly elected chairman of the Lewiston Auburn Veterans Council Wilfred "Willie" Danfort and past founder and chairman Bertrand Dutil who labored for nearly ten years on the development of the Veterans Park and the Musical Tribute to veterans, Auburn, Mayor, John Jenkins, retired Master Chief, Roger & Bonnie Dumont, Roger served as the Master of Ceremonies and in many other ways for the Vietnam Wall experience. Michael & Jennifer Martel, Peter & Ann Dehetre Arsenault, Robert "Bob" Barnes, Roger & Connie Martel, Clayton & Marcia Roy, Diane and Dale Burnell, Roger, Clayton and Dale were the workhorses for the event. Richard & Claudette Therriault (Claudette was the Volunteer Co-ordinater for the event), Paul Boudreau, Director of the Lewiston Public Works Department, Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Boudreau, Bob Bleltz, Director of the Auburn Public Works Department worked as a team in preparing the site, landscaping, opening the rock wall to provide handicap access and many other details needed to accomplish the end result, which all agree was fantastic. Steve Wentworth served as the Program Chairman, Charlie Smith provided the computer training, Joe Armstrong and Steve Malo of Rolling Thunder provided the assistance needed in organizing the motorcycle escort of the traveling wall, Craig Stearns (Photographer) appeared daily taking hundreds of pictures looking for the best shots to be placed in a CD that was played that evening. Paul Bernard, American Legion Public Relations Officer from the 3rd District was also present daily taking pictures to be placed on www.maineamericanlegion.com Bernard also placed a three ring binder with a daily report of all the activities into the "Memorial Vault", Roland and Pat Lafrance, Robert Levesque, Don Gosselin, Ti Paul, Richard & Anita Leblanc, Richard played taps, Raymond & Edith Lemieux, Warren Clark, Ron Duchette, Bill Bradbury, Jimmy Murphy, Gary Brooks, Charles Honaker, Alan Willette, Gerry N. Cain, Gary O'Connell, the 133rd Engineer Battalion and many others served and had a great time.

Bert Dutil is shown holding a shadow box with the 20 spent shells from the opening ceremonies of the Vietnam Memorial Wall with the famous picture of three Vietnam Veterans walking off in the sunset which was presented to the Fortin Group by Chaplain Paul R. Bernard.

The Chaplain secured the shells after the ceremonies to present to the Fortin Group.

The Chaplain had the print made by Staples and purchased the shadow box from T.J. Max and secured all the spent shells in the shadow box.

"The effects that the traveling wall had on myself and mirrors of other veterans that I talked to in the ten days I was at the Veterans Park is un-measurable. This is only a small token of our appreciation and gratefulness to the Fortin Group and all the volunteers and workers that kept us fed and comfortable during the walls visit." stated the Chaplain. We will never forget what the Fortin Group did for us and neither will we forget that the "Price is Written on the Wall".