By Dominik Lobkowicz
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Medomak Middle School held a Veterans Day Celebration on Nov. 6, honoring veterans broadly and recognizing six local veterans specifically.
The celebration ran a respectful gamut of pride, patriotism, and somber reflection as staff and students gave readings and musical performances in the veterans’ honor.
Local veterans honored specifically were: MMS teacher Paul Berube, U.S. Air Force; Medomak Valley High School Assistant Principal Andrew Cavanaugh, U.S. Army; Tammi Morrison, U.S. Army; Scott Boyington, U.S. Army; John Blodgett, U.S. Marine Corps; and Daniel Schaeffer, U.S. Coast Guard.
The six veterans on stage appeared very humble through most of the ceremony, but showed subtle and quiet appreciation in their eyes and smiles for the honors and recognition bestowed upon them.
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Each of the six had their biographies read by a student – some their own children – and all veterans in attendance were given a red carnation as a token of thanks.
Along with the biographies and other readings such as President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, four students read their essays on what patriotism means to them.
“To me, patriotism means the love of one’s country,” student Elizabeth Flanagan read from her essay. “You honor it and are proud to be an American citizen. You know how lucky you are to be an American.”
Giving examples of patriots, Flanagan cited the nation’s leaders and legislators, servicemen and women, firefighters, and police officer, but also their families.
“They hope for the safety of their loved ones and work together with other families to give each other hope for the return of all the service members,” Flanagan said.
She went on into include anyone who loves the United States and are proud to be a part of it.
“That is what makes us all patriots: being courageous, standing up for what we think is right, loving our country and honoring it with all our heart – that is what patriotism means to me,” Flanagan said.
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Messages were also read aloud from Maine’s two senators and two members of Congress. The messages touched not only on the sacrifices of thousands of servicemen and women for the benefit of the nation, but the need for the country’s sacrifices on their behalf.
“We treat our veterans with respect and invest in the services that they need and deserve. Our commitment to them, however, remains only partially fulfilled,” wrote Sen. Angus King. “No veteran should have to live on the streets of the great nation that they defended. No veteran should have to endure a lengthy backlog to receive the benefits that they earned. All veterans deserve only the highest quality of care and support that our country can offer them because they fought – and still fight – for the ideals that we hold most dear.”
Rep. Mike Michaud took a similar tack: “We come together on Veterans Day to show our respect for the sacrifices made by generations of heroes with speeches, parades, and music. But I believe we must show our respect not only with words on Veterans day but with actions every day.”
Beth Ahlholm, one of the organizers of the ceremony, gave the closing remarks.
“A memorial’s message is not just a remembrance of past sacrifice, it is a reminder to future generations that the torch of freedom is now theirs to carry,” Ahlholm said. “Our heartfelt gratitude for all the veterans, men and women, who have earned and continue to deserve our esteem. We honor all of you.”
