Leftover
toll collection to help Vietnam memorial wall volunteers
,
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
LEWISTON - A
leftover pool of money from Sunday's procession of about 1,000
motorcycles will aid the volunteer effort supporting the replica of the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, now overlooking the Great Falls in Lewiston.
The motorcade was formed to escort the traveling replica to Veterans
Park in downtown Lewiston. On Sunday, minutes before the procession
began, Portland businessman Vaughn Pratt volunteered to pay the $3,000
in tolls for the motorcycles to go from York to Auburn on the Maine
Turnpike. However, hundreds of dollars had already been collected from
individual riders. And not everyone heard that a refund was offered.
"There were five calls for refunds over a loudspeaker," said Michael
Martel, an organizer for the wall exhibit. When the motorcade left, $300
remained, said Joe Armstrong, president of Rolling Thunder. His group
organized the procession.
"We did our best," he said. People had their chance to get their money
back, he said.
The money was donated to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial fund. It will aid
the volunteer effort that surrounds the wall. The wall replica will be
open to the public from sunrise on Friday to 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
A
special guest from Turner, Ralph Caldwell of Caldwell Farms dropped by
to pay respects to those veterans that gave all.
Also Navy personnel showed up to rehearse for
tomorrows retirement ceremony.
Today was computer training.
(A) Pat Gilbert is standing watching Bill Bradbury, VFW 1603,
(B) Mike Lizotte
(C) Pat Lafrance is standing watching Jimmy Murphy
(D) Pat Lafrance and Jeannie Gosselin stand watching Dave Patterson
(E) Instructor Charles Smith explains to the group how to access the computer, use the large book with all the names and how to use the folders with just the Maine Veterans Don Gosselin is pictured on the right of the photo
(G) The evening class consisted of Rev. Albert Lepine, Warren Clark Post 111, Jerry and Pauline Poulin, Ron and Rose Dumont, Charles G.S. Honaker Post 111 with the white polo shirt.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
We were also surprised by a visit from the Central Maine Christian School. Schools were scheduled for Thursday but I was more than glad to give them a tour.
Also Leon "Lee" Humiston began setting up the POW/MIA
tent.
It won't be set up till tomorrow but let me warn you its very moving. Here's a picture of the VC taunting American prisoners followed by a mannequin dressed in an original prisoners uniform and the IRON MAN made of POW bracelets.
This
prison uniform, commonly referred to as "the blacks" was worn by
Commander Ted Stier, United States Navy, after his plane was shot down,
he was captured on November 19th, 1967. He was released on March 14th,
1973.
This sculpture, made by an unknown Maryland artist, was created from POW bracelets that bore the name of Captain John Fellowes, United States Navy.
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