The Lewiston Firefighters Color Guard also participated in the event. present were: Don Lagrange, Roger A. Roy, Philip Julian, Lieutenant Tim Traynor and Michael Albert. 

The American Legion, Harry J. Conway Post 135 of Sabattus participated in this great event. Present were James Rancourt, Al Harvey, Ed Lafrance, Andy Pulk of the SAL and Joseph Michaud, color guard commander. Not pictured was American Legion Commander, Edward Nadeau, Harry J. Conway Post no. 135

The Franco American Color Guards Post 31, with Commander Wilfred "Willy" Danfort were also present. Willie was blessed and touched throughout the events and was proud to have been able to participate in so many of the ceremonies. Willie is also a representative of the Lewiston Auburn Veterans Council.

Hugh Brown Jr. Post 153, VFW 1603 Carl Douglas, Donald N. Linscott Jr. State Quarter Master VFW, Tibby Dupuis Post 153, Dick Brown Post 153.

At the Lewiston Armory!

Paul R. Bernard, 3rd District

Public Relations Historian, American Legion

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Lewiston

American Legion 3rd District Public Relations Historian Paul R. Bernard talks with an old friend Vietnam Veteran Merle Davis. Merle and his wife took care of Paul's daughter when Paul's wife was battling serious health problems in the mid 70's.

Mayor John Jenkins, 3rd District Public Relations Historian, Paul R. Bernard and Mayor Larry Gilbert share a laugh of the good old days. Paul was a martial arts student under instructor Sensei Gates when Jenkins first came to town in the 70's to serve as assistant to Sensei Gates. Gilbert served as a Lewiston Police officer when he and Bernard met in the 70's as well.

Gary O'Connell of the American Legion Post 153 is helping Vicki R. Roy with the spaghetti feast. Gary also a Legion Rider rode with the thousands of other bikers.

Vicki R. Roy enjoyed serving hundreds of bikers who participated in the event.

Auburn Mayor John Jenkins serves the spaghetti as Lewiston Mayor Larry Gilbert sauces it up.

Robert "Bob" Barnes serves ice cold drinks as Clayton Roy looks on. Clayton has been an excellent volunteer and can be seen everywhere giving a hand. He was Roger Martel's right hand man.

Bike members are lined up outside the Lewiston Armory waiting to be served by the Mayors and other happy volunteers. During the next few days we will hear Command Master Chief Roger Dumont, USN ret. say, "Welcome Home". And what a way to begin the welcome, good food, good fellowship, good music and a beautiful day to ride.

The Broad Street Band provided some of the music of the 60's and 70's.

Bikers enjoyed the spaghetti meal, bread, soda and the music and the opportunity to gather and talk and express their feelings, some were reunited with past friends and acquaintances, some talked about the emotions they felt as they were greeted along the way from York to Auburn.

Ron Bilodeau of Sabattus talks to reporter David Sargent, special to Sun Journal.

Tribute to Vietnam vets brings out cheers, tears
David A. Sargent , Special to the Sun Journal
Monday, September 24, 2007

pictures by Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

LEWISTON - Cheers and tears greeted about 1,000 motorcyclists escorting a large star-spangled trailer-truck bringing a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to the Twin Cities Sunday afternoon.
Scores of spectators lined Longley Bridge and the area around Veterans Memorial Park. They waved flags and shouted congratulations as the bikers rolled past in a procession estimated to be about three miles long. It took more than half an hour for them all to cross the bridge between Auburn and Lewiston.
Riders of ages spanning two or three generations took part. Several said they were amazed at the show of support on their trip from York. People waved and cheered all along the route.
Some differences of opinion about whether the Maine Turnpike Authority should charge the escort bikers came to an unexpected and widely-appreciated resolution when a private donor wrote a check to cover the tolls. Robert Barnes, director of employee and business relations, Maine and New Hampshire, for The Fortin Group/ Dignity Memorial, which sponsors the wall's visit, said a man came to him at the York toll plaza just before the procession left.
"He had tears in his eyes and said he couldn't sleep last night," Barnes said. "He told me he wanted to do something," and that was to pay for each motorcycle's $3 turnpike toll.
Barnes identified the donor as Vaughn Pratt of Land Vest in Portland. He said he understands that Pratt had a brother who was killed in Vietnam.
Although Pratt's gift took care of the monetary tolls, many riders paid an obvious emotional toll during the experience.
"This was my time. I did two tours in 'Nam and we never got recognition, but we are getting it now," said Ron Bilodeau of Sabattus. "I had tears many, many times on the way down. The ride was beautiful."
He said it was a challenging ride in the Turnpike traffic, with some motorists cutting in and out. Ray Weatherbee of Rockland said, "It's been 40 years since I started telling anyone I was a Vietnam veteran. Now I can say I'm proud of it."

Weatherbee added that he was surprised at all the support from the people at the overpasses and "the cars that would pull over and they'd all wave."
George Chapin Jr. of Waldoboro and Gary Leach of Union agreed.
Chapin is a Vietnam-era vet who was stationed in Germany but was ready to go to Vietnam. "I'm very sentimental about this. It was very moving."
Leach added, "The coordinators and the police did a real good job."
Franz Garami of Rockland is another Vietnam vet who was pleased with the event.
"It all went very well, except for a couple of scrapes," he said.
Alan and Susan Olsen of Warner, N.H., rode with the New Hampshire chapter of Rolling Thunder in support of the Maine chapter.
"What a wonderful, wonderful event. Very impressive," said Olsen.
He is a Vietnam vet with two tours as a helicopter pilot.
"This is one of the best things I've ever seen," said George Knight of Wiscasset.
Sunday's riders were on all kinds of motorcycles, including several custom tri-wheel models. There were both men and women riding single and double. Many wore jackets with pins, medals and patches proclaiming U.S. military support. Some raised solemn salutes as they rolled beneath a huge American flag hung across the street from ladders of L-A fire trucks. Others traded joyful thumbs-up and V-for-victory gestures with spectators.

Turnout for the motorcycle escort doubled the number of bikers who rode into Maine for last year's wall visit to South Portland. Organizers reported that a couple of bikers suffered minor injuries Sunday in spills that occurred in the first few miles. United Ambulance Service of Lewiston had vehicles in the procession to attend to such incidents.
Sunday's riders represented organizations including the Patriot Guard, Rolling Thunder and several uniformed police units. A spaghetti lunch was provided for the motorcyclists at the Lewiston Armory. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall, a three-quarter size replica which is 240 feet long and eight feet high, will be on display to the public at Lewiston's Veterans Memorial Park from Friday, Sept. 28, to Sunday, Sept. 30.
"Brings back memories," said Vietnam veteran Warren Clark of Turner. Clark, a Marine who served in Vietnam from 1963 to 1965, broke down during a ceremony following the arrival in Lewiston of the Vietnam veterans memorial wall replica. Clark himself was blown out of a truck when the truck he was driving hit a land mine. I was the only survivor and that's rough.

Patriotism unparalleled
Sunday, September 30, 2007

Lewiston - I had the privilege to accompany the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall along with thousands of others as it arrived in Maine this past Sunday. Not only was it a magnificent day, it was also quite a wonderful spectacle to behold.
This 8-foot-tall and 240-foot-long wall is a replica of the one that stands in Washington, D.C. However large its dimension, it cannot compare with the courage and bravery that was exhibited in the hearts of those whose names appear on this wall: unsung, unrecognized heroes.
Miles of riders pursued their way down the highway in orderly and organized double-file fashion. As we rolled along the Maine Turnpike, hundreds stood along the byways, at exits and atop the many overpasses that span the Turnpike, displaying their colors, saluting with a show of respect and patriotism like I have never seen.
Amid the constant roar of bikes, there remained an aura of honor and dignity toward those still in our midst and the 58,000 others who sacrificed for our freedom. May their valor and service be recognized at last and may it bring solace and healing to those veterans who have returned bruised or damaged by the Vietnam experience.
I am proud to say also that I was traveling with an 82-year-old World War II veteran.

"American Legion Rider, Gary O'Connell of Post 153, is pictured on the bike"

Lorraine Ligthart, Lewiston
 

My eyes watered
Sunday, September 30, 2007

Lewiston - On Sept. 23, veterans and citizens of Lewiston and Auburn came out to show honor and respect to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and to the Vietnam veterans, who are not forgotten.
I was honored to stand at attention with fellow honor guards on the Longley Bridge. Although my body was tensed up, my eyes watered when fellow veterans passed by in that special tractor trailer. "The Wall" honors soldiers who had given their lives, and loved ones have shed tears with hearts forever empty. Tears still fall to the ground today. Those veterans are not forgotten.

Willie Danforth, Auburn
Franco-American War Veterans National Commander and Post #31 Commander

The right wall
Sunday, September 30, 2007

Lewiston - I helped erect a wall today (Sept. 24). Not a wall of division, such as the Berlin Wall or the metaphorical Iron Curtain; not a wall of partition of territories, such as walls going up between Israel and Palestine; not a wall of religious divide, as in Iraq; but a wall of unity, forgiveness and togetherness in common sorrow.
In erecting the Vietnam Memorial Wall being displayed at the Veterans Memorial Park through Sept. 30, I had the pleasure to work with a detachment of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion personnel. In them, I saw a generation of forgiveness - equal opportunity, male and female working side by side with equal pay; unity of cultures - blacks, whites and other cultures side by side in friendship and arms; togetherness in work, play and sorrow as we erected each panel.
To think, it took less than a generation to overcome our prejudices and fear of our fellow Americans.
That is what makes this nation so great, if we just have the eyes and minds to see it. But, like some of my generation, we must first look hard at ourselves, for there are many lessons to learn from building the right kind of walls.

Charles A. Soule, Lewiston

 

Escorts: Fallen vets paid real toll
Scott Taylor , Staff Writer, Sun Journal
Sunday, September 23, 2007

AUBURN ~ Paul L'Heureux will gladly dig down and pay a few dollars in Turnpike tolls this morning while he helps escort a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Wall to Lewiston.
It's all about honoring his brothers, American soldiers who fell in Vietnam.

"Those brothers paid the ultimate price," said L'Heureux, state commander of the American Legion in Maine and one of thousands of riders expected to make the trek. "All we have to do is pay a few tolls."
L'Heureux and about 50 area motorcyclists will meet at 7 a.m. at the American Legion Post 153 in New Auburn to ride down to the weigh station in York.
There, they'll rendezvous with at least 1,000 other riders from across Maine to escort the memorial wall back to Lewiston.
Steve Page, post commander of American Legion Post 132 in Richmond, said he realized last week that all the riders would have to pay tolls on the trip. He and his friends will pay at least $5.50 each.
Multiplied by 1,000 riders, it's a lot of money.
"It was just the fact that I'm escorting a national treasure, and we all have to pay to do it," he said. "That really bothers me."
His complaints wound up on the front page of some newspapers in Maine on Saturday, but Page said he's since had a change of heart.
"I understand that there isn't much the state can do about it," Page said. "I guess it's not up to them. So, there's no blame on the state. But it's still unfortunate. We're trying to honor people here, and I wish it didn't have to be about money."
Dan Paradee, spokesman for the Maine Turnpike Authority, said the bond contracts the authority has signed forbid any free travel on the Turnpike.

"So if we were to let this group travel for free, we would be sued by our bondholders," Paradee said. "And we would lose."
Instead, Paradee said the authority has worked with bikers and event organizers in planning the motorcade. The authority is paying all salaries for the troopers helping with the escort and has staff working overtime for the event.
"It's a fairly black-and-white issue over the tolls," he said. "We've worked with the event organizers and leaders all along, but we can't work with each individual biker and can't control what they say to the newspapers. So it's a shame now, if this overshadows the reason for the trip."
David Farmer, spokesman for Maine Governor John Baldacci, said there is little the state can do.
"This is nothing but the very operating rules of Maine Turnpike Authority," Farmer said. "We're glad the wall is coming, and we're glad for the escort. But this is a situation where we are not allowed to make exceptions."
It will be the second time the wall has visited Maine. It was last in South Portland two years ago. A similar, smaller wall was on display in Kennedy Park in 2001.
This is a 8-foot-tall, 240-foot-long replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. It's being brought to Lewiston by national funeral home chain Service Corporation International and its Lewiston-Auburn affiliate, the Fortin Group. The company brings the wall to 20 cities a year, at no cost to the community.
It will be on display in Veterans Park, at the foot the Great Falls, Sept. 28 through 30.
Emmett Stuart, a member of the New Auburn post, said the Turnpike tolls still make him angry.
"There's always a way to make an exception, or at least there ought to be," Stuart said Saturday.
But L'Heureux said most riders don't care.
"If we get 2,000 riders, you'll be lucky to find 100 that are upset," he said. "These guys would ride in the rain to do what they're doing. They're riding because they can ride, and the brothers they're honoring can't."

Vietnam memorial replica gets escort

September 22, 2007

AUGUSTA ~ Hundreds of motorcyclists planned to escort a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial up the Maine Turnpike on Sunday from York to Lewiston where the 240-foot-long Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall will go on display Friday at Veterans Park.

The wall will remain on display through next weekend.

The Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall is a three-quarter-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Some bikers joining the escort said they should not have to pay Turnpike tolls but the Maine Turnpike Authority said it was legally bound to collect them.

Steve Page, commander of American Legion Post 132 in Richmond and a member of the American Legion Riders, said Friday that charging a toll was an insult to Vietnam veterans.

"It's outrageous," said Page. "Here we are escorting a national treasure and we have to pay tolls to do it."

Dan Paradee, spokesman for the Maine Turnpike Authority, said the authority is required by its bond resolution to collect a toll from everyone who uses the highway except in cases of emergency.

"When you borrow money, you make promises that you will collect tolls," Paradee said. "You don't have the luxury to decide who can go toll-free and who can't."

He said the authority worked out a plan with organizers under which toll money will be collected in advance. Maine state police were set to guide the motorcade up the turnpike with riders passing through the toll booths without stopping, Paradee said.

"It's just a given we operate with," said Mike Martel of the Fortin Group-Dignity Memorial Wall Committee. "The only problem with it is that it detracts from the actual event, the beauty of bringing the wall to Lewiston and Auburn."

Portland Press Herald

Lewiston ~ Bikers escorting a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial this weekend don't think they should have to pay a toll.

But the Maine Turnpike Authority says it is legally bound to collect the money, which could total $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the number of riders who participate in the event.

Between 1,500 and 2,000 motorcyclists are expected to accompany the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall on Sunday as it travels up the Maine Turnpike from York to Lewiston.

The 240-foot-long wall will go on display Friday at Veterans Park and will remain up through Sunday.

Steve Page, commander of American Legion Post 132 in Richmond and a member of the American Legion Riders, said Friday that charging a toll is a slap in the face to Vietnam veterans.

"It's outrageous," said Page, a retired Army Green Beret. "Here we are escorting a national treasure and we have to pay tolls to do it."

Bud Conner, legal officer for Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Five at the Brunswick Naval Air Station, said he will be riding down to York with 35 other motorcyclists, including Page.

He has been instructed to collect the money ahead of time so he can pay the tolls up front.

Conner said each biker will pay a $2.50 toll down to York and then $3 when they escort the wall up to the Lewiston exit.

"Numerous people from the planning committee have talked to the (Maine) Turnpike Authority and the governor's office to no avail," Conner said. "They are not interested in giving 2,000 motorcycle riders a break. The (Turnpike Authority) is seeing dollar signs."

Dan Paradee, spokesman for the Maine Turnpike Authority, said it has nothing to do with money and everything to do with the law. The turnpike authority is required by its bond resolution to collect a toll from everyone who uses the highway unless it's an emergency situation.

"When you borrow money, you make promises that you will collect tolls," Paradee said. "You don't have the luxury to decide who can go toll-free and who can't."

He said the authority has worked out a plan with organizers. Everyone will meet at the York weigh station and the toll money will be collected in advance.

Maine State Police will guide the motorcade up the turnpike and everyone will ride through the toll booths without stopping, Paradee said.

"There's thousands of people on the turnpike right now doing wonderful things, people going for cancer treatments or to serve the elderly and they're all paying a toll," he said. "But the bottom line is if we allow 2,000 motorcyclists to go free, we would violate our bond resolution and we would be sued and the toll- payers of Maine would be required to deal with all the costs associated with that."

Not everyone sees the Maine Turnpike Authority as the bad guy.

"It's just a given we operate with," said Mike Martel of the Fortin Group-Dignity Memorial Wall Committee. "The only problem with it is that it detracts from the actual event, the beauty of bringing the wall to Lewiston and Auburn."

David Farmer, spokesman for Gov. John Baldacci, said the governor recognizes the importance of the event.

Farmer said his office has been working with organizers to make sure they have a state police escort and the event is a success.

"There's lots of worthy causes and worthy groups that come into the state and certainly this is an example of this," Farmer said. "It's difficult to make it an exception. The rules are fairly specific."

Portland man pay tolls for Vietnam Memorial Wall Caravan

September 24, 2007

LEWISTON ~ A Portland man resolved a short-lived dispute between veterans and Maine Turnpike officials by agreeing to pay more than $2,000 for the turnpike tolls of a motorcycle caravan that escorted a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial into Maine.

Vaughan Pratt agreed to pay the tolls for hundreds of motorcyclists who on Sunday escorted the 240-foot-long Dignity Vietnam Wall to Lewiston, where it will be on display from Friday through Sunday.

Some veterans who participated in the escort criticized turnpike officials last week when they refused to waive tolls for the group. The Maine Turnpike Authority agreed to cover the cost of a state police escort, but said it was legally bound to collect the tolls.

Pratt said he agreed to pay the tolls as a tribute to a friend and a favor to motorcycle clubs and veterans groups that have supported Special Olympics Maine. He is a member of the organization's board of directors.

The Maine Turnpike Authority "missed an opportunity to show off the state in a great light" by not waiving the tolls, said Pratt, a retired real estate executive.

"This is not a 'save the whales' charity. These are people who died for our country," Pratt said.

Pratt's offer caught turnpike employees and members of the motorcycle escort off-guard.

Dan Paradee, spokesman for the Maine Turnpike Authority, said Pratt made the offer Sunday morning, which the authority then accepted. Afterward, Pratt told a few bikers gathered at a turnpike weigh station of his decision, shook a few hands and left long before the escort got moving at about 11 a.m.

Pratt said newspaper articles about the toll dispute got him thinking about a college friend who was killed in Vietnam in 1969. He was moved when he visited the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington to see his friend's name, Pratt said.

"It sure brought some tears, I can tell you that," he said.

The wall in Lewiston is a three-quarters replica of the wall in Washington, and will be on display at Lewiston's Veterans Memorial Park.