wallmondayvault

Left to right: Ken A. Barrett, Merle F. Davis, Paul R. LeBlanc, John E. O'Leary,

Patriot Guard, Jim B. Bourke,

Everett Bachand Jr. 10th Special Forces Association,

Chapter 54, LTC William F. Buckley Memorial Chapter, Boston Mass.

and member of Veterans of Foreign War Post 1603.

Rolling Thunder, Chapter 2, Sanford Maine President, Joe R. Armstrong,

Rolling Thunder, Chapter 2, Vice President, Steve Malo,

Warren K. Clark, Marine Corps Leaque, Central Maine Detachment 810.

Absent: Photographer: Paul R. Bernard, 3rd District Public Relations Historian

Department of Maine, American Legion

1:00 PM, Monday, October 1, 2007

Welcome ~ Command Master Chief Roger Dumont, USN, Retired
Posting of Colors ~ U. S. Navy Honor Color Guard, NASB
Post #171 American Legion Harpswell, Maine
National Anthem ~ Sue Rouleau
Opening Prayer ~ Deacon Dennis Mailhot
Remarks ~ Mayor Laurent F. Gilbert, Sr., City of Lewiston
Mayor John Jenkins, City of Auburn
Robert Barnes, CFSP, Publicity Chairperson,
The Fortin Group Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall Committee
Unveiling of Memorial ~ Michael Martel, SCI Northeast, Market Manager ~ ME/NH
Peter Arsenault, Manager ~ The Fortin Group, Venue Co-Leader
Ann Dehetre Arsenault ~ The Fortin Group, Venue Co-Leader
Closing Remarks ~ Michael Martel, SCI Northeast, Market Manager-ME/NH
Taps ~ Roger Renaud
Presentation of American Flags... Michael Martel, SCI Northeast, Market Manager-ME/NH
Robert Barnes, CFSP, Publicity Chairperson,
The Fortin Group Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall Committee
Closing Prayer ~ Deacon Dennis Mailhot

The vault is filled with pins, medals, flowers, pictures, a copy of the book, "Kiss the Boys Goodbye" was left by Bernard. The book depicts how the United States betrayed its own POW's in Vietnam. Bernard also placed a three ring binder with a report of the daily activities with pictures that took place from September 22nd to September 30th, and other mementos left near the temporary memorial last week.

We gathered at an early morning vault closing and burial ceremony. The skies were filled with a heavy overcast. It reminded me of Saturday September 22nd when we first arrived at the Veterans Park to meet the 133rd Engineer Company. These young men made all of us old retirees feel mighty proud. They are our sons and brothers.

Mayor Larry Gilbert estimated more than 32,000 citizens had came and walked by and stood in awe as they looked at the mural painted on the top of the "Time Capsule" and the names over 56,000 of America's finest.

But today was very different we were not preparing to place the base of the wall.

Today we were gathered together as we watched our memories of Saturday, September 22nd when the 133rd Engineer Battalion, Army National Guard met us at the wall in the early morning and quickly erected the base of the wall.

Sundays spectacular entrance of the motorcycle escort with Rolling Thunder, the Patriot Guard, Legion Riders and others as they ushered in the Vietnam Memorial Wall.

Monday's most moving opening for all the veterans and onlookers alike, the placing of the Purple Heart of Thomas J. McMahon by his brother Michael at the base of the Apex and than the erecting of the wall, panel by panel the names rose up.

Tuesday's surprise visit by Michael and Christine McMahon with a Medal Of Honor Military photo of Thomas J. McMahon which affected us for the rest of the day and to this moment. Wednesday's computer training classes with Instructor, Charles Smith and the surprise visit from Central Maine Christian Academy all those children it was very touching. As I was explaining Thomas J. McMahon's purple heart to the school a little girl in the front row looked up and said, excuse me, yes I said, "My Grandfather has a Purple Heart" and instantly a river of tears of American Pride and Patriotism rolled down my cheeks.

Thursday, so many of us were deeply touched by the thousands (estimate 3,200) of children of all ages looking and asking questions about the wall, the war, and why?

Friday's opening ceremonies with retired Command Master Chief Roger Dumont, United States Navy, and seeing the first performance of the Brunswick, Navy Firing Squad Team and Honor Guard was spectacular and breath taking. The first time we saw Tyler Sibley, AEAN walk to the apex and place the spent shell at the apex and slowly saluting, there were no words for the pride that we all felt knowing that we were Americans and proud of it.

Saturday we were again overwhelmed by the amount of people and veterans that visited the wall, stories after stories of veterans who wished they never came back, they have never forgotten the haunting memories and who mourned for their fallen comrades who were left behind. It was mentally, spiritually and physically draining which led to many melt downs during the morning into the night.

Sundays closing ceremony filled with heart wrenching patriotic songs followed by the placing of artifacts into the memorial vault, you had to be there it was amazing as thoughts flooded your mind. The Men who paid Freedom's Price, One Nation under God, the Greatness of America, Plymouth Rock, the Great American Dream.

Then we began the rapid dismantling of the wall and Robert "Bob" Barnes removed the Purple Heart with the greatest of respect and pride as the Sun was beginning to set, at this moment, we were all privileged in being a part of this life changing experience. It most definitely was the "Wall Experience" coming to a close. And here we are at the final goodbye. All around us are the proud members of the Fortin Group, an opportunity of a Century just visited the twin cities and citizens from everywhere came, all because of "The Fortin Group Dignity Memorial" and the Lewiston Auburn Veterans Council. I'm sure I'll see these great Americans one more time before I leave this world. CMDCM Roger Dumont, USN, ret. served as Master of Ceremonies, we'll never forget this great American, we were honored. Bert Dutil, L/A Veterans Council, Chairman, Stephen Wentworth, Program Chairman, the many dedicated volunteers. Some of you know what I'm talking about, a ten day wall experience to be treasured forever in our hearts. It was unbelievable, God was good to all of us.

(A) Bert Dutil chats with Stephen Wentworth, Command Master Chief Roger Dumont and Bertrand Dutil, Lewiston Veterans Council Chairman.

(K) Mayor Jenkins and Mayor Gilbert two of the Twin Cities finest were there from the feeding of the spaghetti to the lowering of the time capsule.

Clayton, Roger, Gary, the McMahons, Mayor Gilbert, and Mayor Jenkins, the Lewiston Police Officer, the Dehetres.

(T) The little red head girl that placed an American Flag in memory of her grandfather a World War II soldier.

(W,X,Y,Z) The unveiling of the Vietnam Wall Memorial Stone that is being placed on top of the "Dignity Memorial Time Capsule" dated September 28-30, 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. Michael Martel speaks, what can be said of Michaels devotion and complete commitment. Michael made us all proud.

(2,3,4) The presentation of the American flags by Robert Barnes and Michael Martel to Mayor Larry Gilbert and Mayor John Jenkins.

(5,6,7) The final firing squad, I was honored in placing the thirteen extra empty shells fired by the Brunswick Naval Air Station, Firing Squad, into the fault to complete a full set of twenty one shells.

(9) The very last look at the beautiful mural painted on the vault cover, and are you ready for this,

(A1-A2) Two beautiful framed pictures of the Vietnam Wall with the reflection of the Mills on the wall were presented by Paul Beaudreau of the City of Lewiston. Look closely at the picture, the mill building at the very right of the photo is now torn down making the two framed photos an instant historical collectors piece, making the photos priceless.

(A4) I also had the honor in presenting to Command Master Chief Roger Dumont, United States Navy ret. a spent shell from the last firing party which is military protocol, a spent shell was also presented to Mayor John Jenkins and Mayor Larry Gilbert.

(A5-A6) The sand is placed on the vault, shovel by shovel, disabled Vietnam Veteran Merle Davis carefully ceremonially slides sand down the side of the vault.

This was the most rewarding experience any veteran could be a part of. It was very Healing and many veterans that I talked too said the same. Now I'm going home to my front porch and will thank God for my front lawn.

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