OLD ORCHARD BEACH — “You are not forgotten” was the phrase used repeatedly on Saturday during a special ceremony at The Ballpark honoring the more than 500 Mainers in the military who are still missing in action or prisoners of war, dating back to World War II.
The event began Friday and continued through the weekend. Among those attending the Saturday POW/MIA Recognition Day events were representatives from the Department of Maine AMVETS and the Maine National Guard, a color guard from Hudson, Mass., and Maine elected officials, including Gov. Paul LePage, U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, State Rep. Sharri MacDonald and representatives from the offices of both U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King. Miss Collegiate International 2012 Shannon Rae Folsum of Saco sang the National Anthem.
Seven veterans who reside at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough were also in attendance.
Although audience attendance was light on Saturday, it did not dampen the heartfelt words by speakers who said they were thankful for the sacrifices made by the veterans who have yet to return home, and their families.
In her convocation, Nancy Lee Kelly prayed to “find ways of tracing and identifying those who are missing in action” and also, “may our nation find ways to rescue you there safely and quickly.”
LePage proclaimed Sept. 20, 2013 POW/MIA Recognition Day.
“Your service to this nation has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated,” he said. “We thank you.”
For those who have still not returned home, said LePage, “Their sacrifice transcends what it really means to be an American hero.
“We will never let up looking for them,” he said of the more than 500 missing Mainers, “not only at the federal level, but at the state level.”
Travis Kennedy, reading a letter from Sen. King, made a similar statement, vowing to “bring those missing in action back home to those who cherish them.”
“They represent the best of our country,” said Rep. Michaud about those still missing. “They risked their lives” for the country and “put our well being above their own.”
The families of those still missing also deserve to be honored, said Michaud.
“It is because of the sacrifices of our brave soldiers and their families that we are able to be here today enjoying our rights and freedoms,” he said. “We thank you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
Founded by Russell Warriner and the POW/MIA Recognition Weekend Committee, The Maine Heroes Fund hosted the POW/MIA Recognition Weekend to honor veterans. Several local groups, including Veterans of Foreign Wars Maine Post 7997, AMVETS and OOB365, also helped put on the event. Proceeds from the weekend will be used to help veterans in need.
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or [email protected].
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