Memorial benches well received in Kingfield





KINGFIELD –- The American Legion and Auxiliary Memorial Monument now has a new look thanks to a donation from the Cole Foundation and Land Transportation Museum, and the efforts of American Legion Commander Bert Dyer of North New Portland. Kingfield is in receipt of two new etched memorial benches made from Maine granite in honor of Vietnam Veterans. The benches now give the monument a true park feel.After nearly three decades, veterans of the Vietnam War were honored and given a rousing welcome home in Bangor over the past summer with nearly 1,200 veterans in attendance.Museum founder and World War II veteran Galen Cole organized the event recognizing the veterans, with the understanding that many came home after serving in the war and gained little-to-no support after serving their country and many came home to negativity and rebellious acts.Dyer said he really appreciated the recognition and mentioned that Cole himself said it was well overdue.“I’ve spent 30-years since the war and this recognition has really helped me and helped with the healing,” Dyer said.Dyer was in attendance with his wife, Alyce, and his brother, Gene. “It really felt good to be recognized,” Dyer said.The 12-year American Legion commander spent one year from 1968 to 1969 based in Pleiku Vietnam in the 4th Infantry Ground Troop as a Sergeant First Class E7. “Those 12 months were the hardest times of life. Too many friends,” were lost in the conflict, Dyer said.At the Bangor event veterans were given walking sticks similar to the sticks given to WWII and Korean veterans and it was there Dyer first learned about the opportunity to receive the benches. He quickly filled out the appropriate paper work, submitted photos and followed up with phone calls to qualify for the donated memorial pieces. Just recently, he found out that Kingfield qualified and he and Kingfield resident Sid Savage hit the road back to Bangor to pick them up.“There’s great satisfaction to give back to the veterans, to the government and to the community in which veterans reside. The benches are there for the enjoyment of the community and for the veterans who served our country,” Dyer explained.The two new benches, located on Depot Street, read: “In Memory Of All Veterans. Freedom Is Not Free” on one bench; and the other reads: “In Memory Of All Veterans. All Gave Some -– Some Gave All.”Dyer, with the help of William Gillespi, Pete Ristano, Steve Abel, Oscar Robinson and many others, prepared the site in anticipation of the benches arriving by pouring concrete slabs the weekend before. “Jordan Lumber has been so very helpful providing donated material, logistics and labor,” Dyer noted.On Nov. 11, the benches will be officially dedicated in a gathering along with a flag disposal ceremony.“I’m very proud to be Commander of this post and its veterans. They’re good people. I’m proud to be a veteran and proud of all veterans.”

 

 

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