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Published Veterans Day | Nov. 11, 2015 A Local Salute to Those Who Have Served
2 Journal Tribune - Honoring Our Veterans
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Maine’s WWII casualties immortalized online
By TAMMY WELLS Senior Staff Writer He was 20 years old, a staff sergeant in the U.S Army who was killed in France on Oct. 31, 1944. Caleb Usher Burbank Jr. is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Alfred. His headstone carries the inscription “Glory Lights the Soldier’s Grave.” Carl Delbert Thorne, 33, of Springvale, a yeoman second class, died of wounds he received in Salerno, Italy, on Sept. 28, 1943, three days after the minesweeper USS. Skill was hit by a German torpedo and sunk. He too is buried at Evergreen cemetery. And there were so many more. There were men like Charles Emile Labbe of Biddeford, a Marine who was killed in action at Iwo Jima on March 8, 1945, and Philippe Gerard Dupras, 20, also of Biddeford, who died June 9, 1944, in France. In all, according to research completed by Delaware native Russ Pickett, there were 247 York County soldiers and
sailors who died serving their country in World War II. Statewide, according to Pickett’s research, there were 2,392 members of the military who died in that long, long war. And now, relatives of those who made the ultimate sacrifice or those doing research can, with the click of a couple of keys on a computer connected to the Internet, see information about that fellow whom they may have heard about, but not known much about. Pickett compiled listings by county and with as much information as is known about the circumstances of the deceased. The listing includes each of the names of the deceased, rank, branch of service, units served in, county of residence within Maine, date of death, cause of death, where they are interred, and a link to an online biography using Ancestry’s “Find A Grave” program, Pickett said in an email. “When I could, I included a biography of each of them, describing in more detail,
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Marble headstones mark the final resting places of those who served in the military, as seen here at Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Springvale.
information about them as soldiers or sailors and also as individuals, when possible,” Pickett said. “Most of these links include when and where THANK YOU, VETERANS!
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in Maine they enlisted, what type of work they did before enlisting, whether they were single or married, and many of them have links to their parents, children and siblings as well.” So what is his connection to Maine? Well, except for the research that took 15 months to complete, none, he said in an email. A veteran himself, Pickett enlisted in 1969 and served as a sergeant of barracks at Fort Dix, New Jersey, where soldiers who were returning from Vietnam temporarily stayed until their enlistment was up. The research bug hit hard. He created a website for those from Delaware who died in World War II, and then kept at it, expanding to several more states. “I realized that there really wasn’t much out on the web about these brave soldiers and sailors who had died during the war,” he said. “So I started creating webpages for other states and have tried to create a small biography for each of
them. As you’ve noticed, I’ve concentrated on the Northeast region. I do this simply because I can and because I feel in my heart it is an important project and a great way to remember their sacrifice for all of us.” He calls it a labor of love. “For the state of Maine it took me approximately 15 month to complete all the records,.” he said. Along the way his research turned up 446 veterans from Maine who died during the war who were not mentioned elsewhere on the Internet. And now they are. Besides Maine and Delaware, Pickett has completed websites for Vermont, New Hampshire and Maryland. The Maine webpage is at: www.russpickett.com/history/ mewwii.htm. Pickett’s entire body of research can be seen at: www.russpickett.com/history/worldwar.htm. — Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Journal Tribune - Honoring Our Veterans 3
Veterans Day: Initiatives helping veterans apply skills, experience to business leadership By TAMMY WELLS Senior Staff Writer Of the 24 million veterans in the U.S., nearly one in 10 is a small business owner, and veterans as a whole are 45 percent more likely than those with no military experience to be self-employed, according to U.S. Census Bureau Data. Experts say that these figures should come as no surprise. “When veterans re-enter civilian life, they carry with them the discipline, hard work and strategic thinking acquired and developed during military service. They take pride in these skills and strive to use them during their next phase of life,” says Tim Davis, a veteran and president of The UPS Store, which offers a number of initiatives designed to promote veteran entrepreneurship. “Veterans are extremely likely to be successful entrepreneurs. Sometimes the challenge is finding that opportunity.” Despite the bleak headlines regarding the variety of Publisher:
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problems faced by returning veterans, The UPS Store is a good example of a business taking steps to change the dialogue and offer these entrepreneurial opportunities. For example, their participation in the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative (VetFran) is helping veterans obtain the resources they need to become their own boss, and the results have been notable. In fact, of the 4,400 UPS Stores, 250 are owned by veterans. Other programs sponsored by various universities and the U.S. Small Bustiness Administration are offering returning veterans training and mentoring, grants, and access to business development opportunities. Davis, who believes military skills easily translate to the business world, encourages other corporations and organizations to begin similar measures in their operations. This Veterans Day, celebrated Nov. 11, is a good time to learn more. Visit www. theupsstorefranchise.com. From strong leadership skills to focused work ethic
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Honoring Our Veterans was published by the Journal Tribune on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015. 457 Alfred St., Biddeford, ME 04005 (207) 282-1535 rk
during one’s service in the military can translate well
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4 Journal Tribune - Honoring Our Veterans
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Local veteran recognized by Honor Flight organization
By LIZ GOTTHELF Staff Writer
Dick Clark, a Korean War Veteran from Saco, was one of a group of veterans who went to Washington D.C. earlier this year through Honor Flight Maine to visit war monuments. Honor Flight Maine is the local hub of the Honor Flight network, an organization formed to give veterans the opportunity to go to Washington, D.C. to see the monument from the war they served in. Top priority is given to World War II veterans. For more information on Honor Flight Maine, go to www.honorflightmaine.org. Here is Dick’s story... Finally, a tribute to the World War II Veterans was built. It opened in 2007. Too late for hundreds of thousands of them to see it or be honored for what they did. From somewhere, I don’t know where, an idea was born that we owed the few that are left the honor of a visit to Washington, D.C. to see and be seen at this wonderful exhibit. The memorial is a great sight, with reminders of the great campaigns, and better emphasized memories of the
hundreds of the thousands who died. The Honor Flight program is nationwide and to my knowledge, has 143 chapters. One is here in Maine. It seems the whole purpose is to find the veterans and raise the money necessary to make the trip free to those veterans who still live. My story starts with a letter to my American Legion Post (#96, in Saco). The letter asked if there were any World War II vets who might like to go. At that meeting, we had one – John “Benny” Woodbury. I volunteered to be his escort – Honor Flight calls them guardians – but they decided that I was also eligible to go as a participant as I am a Korean War veteran. Next came an invitation from Kennebunk Elementary School to the four local veterans who were scheduled to go to D.C. On Friday, May 1, the four of us were guests at an assembly. It was remarkably patriotic. We saw the drawings and other momentos these kindergarten through third-grade kids had used to raise an amazing $4,000 to help Honor Flight
Maine reach its goal. The program was very nicely done and very much appreciated by the four of us and our families. On May 8, we met at the Portland Jetport at 9:15 a.m. to get us organized and ready. Honor Flight members even flew a few veterans who were way out of the area to the jetport in small planes to get them there in time. After a welcoming ceremony they put each of us (27) in wheelchairs. Think of it this way – we don’t get tired and worn out, and we also couldn’t wander off and have to be found. Then came something that moved me deeply – wheeling through the airport to the spontaneous applause from everyone in every waiting area. I choke up thinking about that. The same thing happened at the airport in Boston on arrival and again when we wheeled through the BaltimoreWashington International Airport on our return – that concourse was a at least 400 feet long. With hundreds of people applauding, my eyes were not dry. Then the same thing at
Portland when we got in. Wow! We arrived on a Friday and on Saturday morning, after a very nice breakfast buffet, we boarded a bus at 7:45 a.m. and were escorted by motorcycles to the World War II Memorial. Then we went to the area beside Lincoln Memorial, from which we could visit the Korean War tableau and its wall, then to the Vietnam Memorial, and nearby, the Nurses Memorial statue. For lunch, a ride through the park and touring more
memorials before heading to the Iwo Jima Memorial of the flag raising on Mount Suribachi. Then to Arlington National Cemetery for the changing of the guard and two dedication ceremonies of wreaths. Evidently this is done frequently. The precision is outstanding as is the feeling of pride. Finally, back to the hotel and the next morning it was on to the airport where applause started all over again and at Portland, a farewell party.
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Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Journal Tribune - Honoring Our Veterans 5
How to show your appreciation to members of the military
The men and women who defend the liberties and freedoms of the countries they represent hold a special place in people’s hearts and an eternal spot in their countries’ histories. Any opportunity is a good time to commemorate the bravery and selfless deeds of military personnel, but certain prominent holidays in November make this an especially important time to thank veterans for their service. November 11 is Veterans Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in Canada. It’s also known as Armistice Day in other parts of the world. These holidays honor all military veterans who have provided service to their countries, and that each falls on November 11 is no coincidence, as the day commemorates the anniversary of the end of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Many places around the world pause and remember fallen veterans on November 11, but a good majority of Veterans Day and Remembrance Day commemorative events focus
on past and current veterans who are still alive. There are many ways to honor the military at home and abroad in time for the November festivities. The following are just a handful of ways to show appreciation for military men and women. • When dining out, ask your server if you can pay the tab for a soldier or veteran you see in the restaurant. • Attend a military parade with your family and explain the significance of the day to children in attendance. • Draft letters and send care packages to soldiers currently in service far away from home. • Ask your company if Veterans Day or Remembrance Day can be an observed holiday at your place of business each year to pay homage to servicemen and women. • Visit a military memorial in a city near you. Your town also may have its own memorial. • Petition town officials to erect a memorial if your town does not already have one. Such memorials can be a source of inspiration for your community. • Support a military family in
your town who may be missing a loved one stationed elsewhere. Make meals, mow the lawn, help with grocery shopping, or simply provide emotional support. • Volunteer time at a veterans’ hospital. You may be able to read with veterans or engage in other activities. • Get involved with a military support charity that can provide much-needed funds to struggling families or disabled veterans. • Have children speak with veterans in your family, including grandparents, uncles and aunts or even their own parents. It can help them gain perspective on the important roles the military plays. • Ask a veteran to give a commencement speech at a school or to be the guest of honor at a special function. • Drive disabled veterans to doctors’ appointments or to run any errands. • Support a local VFW organization. • Create a scrapbook for a veteran in your life. • Cheer for or thank military personnel each time
you see them. • Visit the veterans’ portion of a nearby cemetery and place poppies or other flowers on the graves. • Always keep the military on your mind and never forget those who have served and didn’t return home. Armistice Day, Remembrance Day and
Veterans Day are great ways to honor past and current military for their service and sacrifice. • Thank a service member. If you see a person in uniform, thank them for their service to the country. Use the person’s • See APPRECIATION, Page 6
6 Journal Tribune - Honoring Our Veterans • APPRECIATION, From Page 5
title if you can identify rank, or simply use the respectful terms of “sir or madam.” Through a simple gesture, a verbal token of gratitude can go a long way toward brightening a soldier’s day. • Volunteer with a veteran’s association. Volunteering is another way to show veterans and active service members how much you appreciate the sacrifices they have made. Volunteer at a veteran’s hospital or help to organize an event that’s commemorating the efforts of local veterans and active service members. • Propose an event to honor local service members. Petition a town council for a special parade to honor your community’s military personnel, including veterans and active duty members. • Raise funds. Fundraisers are another way to show military members how much you appreciate their service. Collect money for a militarybased scholarship, asking a local high school or university to establish the scholarship in the name of a local veteran or active duty service member. • Provide a forum in which a serviceman or servicewoman can share his or her story. Soldiers can offer unique insight on issues that affect civilians, and the community can benefit from servicemen and women who share their
stories. When hosting a community event, ask a soldier to be a keynote speaker. • Send gifts to active military. Make care packages or write cards and thank-you notes to stationed troops. Organizations like the USO, MilitaryMissions.org or AnySoldier. com can ensure your packages make their way into the hands of soldiers. • Help an active duty service member’s family. Spouses of active duty military personnel often must handle all of the chores that come with managing a household on their own. To show how much you appreciate a service member’s efforts, offer to lend a hand around his or her house. This can make life easier on a service man or woman’s spouse, and your companionship may provide a world of good. You can even go the extra mile by organizing a military spouse appreciation night at a nearby church or recreation hall. Offer free babysitting and provide refreshments and entertainment. • Publicly display your patriotism. Active duty service members and veterans joined the military to defend our way of life, and you can show pride for your country and appreciation for their efforts by hanging a flag outside of your home.
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Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Fun facts about America’s national anthem
J
uly 4, 2016 marks the 240th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Fireworks will illuminate the night sky, the rich smell of barbecue will be in the air, and the country will be awash in red, white and blue splendor. Chances are the swelling melody of “The Star Spangled Banner” will be broadcast over the radio and on various firework display telecasts. The national anthem is synonymous with the United States America, and its notes very well may be the patriotic glue that binds the country together. Although the lyrics and music of the song are widely known, many may be unfamiliar with the rich history behind the beloved tune. A poem is born America began its fight for independence from Great Britain in 1775, and the
Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 to identify the 13 colonies that succeeded in winning their independence from Britain. However, the battles with Britain stretched on. Fights over territories kept disputes between the British Empire and the newly formed United States raging on, and it was during one such fight, and not during the Revolutionary War as some may think, that “The Star Spangled Banner” was written. The War of 1812 was declared by the United States to set right some of the issues that were not resolved after the Revolutionary War. Francis Scott Key was an American lawyer at the time of this war, negotiating for the release of an American hostage being held by the British. Although Key won the hostage’s release, he was not able to leave the British fleet where the negotiations
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took place until the British completed their attack on Baltimore. Key witnessed the British fiery bombs on Ft. McHenry at Chesapeake Bay. Just before dawn on the morning of Sept. 14, 1814, Key was said to have noticed a huge American flag still waving above Ft. McHenry in defiance to the British attack. This imagery helped inspire the words of a poem that eventually would become the national anthem. Key penned the poem on the back of a letter he held in his pocket. After the battle was over and Key was released, he completed the poem at the Indian Queen Hotel, where he was staying. The poem was titled, “Defense of Fort M’Henry.” The poem was put to music to fit the popular melody “The Anacreonic Song” by English composer John Stafford Smith. Key’s brother-in-law, Judge Joseph H. Nicholson, anonymously made the first printing of the lyrics to the melody, and the song was printed in two newspapers. The song quickly became popular, and soon after, Thomas Carr of the Carr Music Store in Baltimore, Maryland published the words and music under a new title, “The StarSpangled Banner.” “The Star-Spangled Banner” takes off “The Star-Spangled Banner” became one of the nation’s most beloved patriotic songs in the 19th century. According to Smithsonian, the song gained special significance during the Civil War, a time when many Americans turned to music to express their feelings for the flag and the ideals and values it represented. The
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Journal Tribune - Honoring Our Veterans 7
Historical scrapbooks can honor older relatives
military used the song for ceremonial purposes, requiring it be played at the raising and lowering of the colors. But many versions of the song were used during these ceremonies and celebrations. By the 20th century, President Woodrow Wilson wanted to establish a standard version, so he tasked the United States Bureau of Education to provide an official version. In response, the Bureau of Education enlisted the help of five musicians, including Walter Damrosch, Will Earhart, Arnold J. Gantvoort, Oscar Sonneck and John Philip Sousa, to agree on an arrangement. This new standardized version was first played on Dec. 5, 1917, at Carnegie Hall. It wasn’t until March 3, 1931, that “The Star-Spangled Banner” became the official national anthem of the United States when President Herbert Hoover signed this designation into law. Next Fourth of July, people may be struck by the magnificence of the fireworks or the enjoyment of the parades. But as the music swells, they also can think about the significance of the events that inspired the creation of the country’s national anthem.
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planning to design a scrapbook that can be gifted or kept for generations to enjoy. Begin by making an outline of what you would like to cover in the scrapbook. Perhaps there is a specific event in a grandparent’s life that is worth highlighting, like a military tour of duty or a brief stint in show business. Maybe you would like to present different snapshots in time during his or her life. Either way, planning out the content of the scrapbook will make it easier to gather the
necessary elements. Once you’ve settled on a theme, begin your research by interviewing the eventual recipient (he or she doesn’t have to know the reason behind the inquiry). During the interview, take note of key dates and try to establish the mood of the era with supporting materials. For example, you may be able to find samples of advertisements from a correlating period in history or newspaper clippings that can be used to fluff up the
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content of the book. In the meantime, gather photos that can be used in the scrapbook, which may take some hunting. Prints can be scanned and copied via a desktop scanner at home, or loaded onto a CD or thumb drive and brought to a pharmacy photo kiosk. Some specialty shops can even scan slides or convert stills from film into images. Make sure to make copies of all original prints and be careful not to lose or damage the originals. Scrapbooks can be made manually with materials purchased anywhere from craft and hobby stores to stationery shops. There are a variety of paper-cutting tools, adhesives, stickers, labels, and stencils that can be used to enhance the look of the scrapbook. There also are computer software programs or online tools through photosharing sites that enable you to upload images and text and design photo books entirely online. Then the finished product can be printed out in a variety of finishes. This method may actually be preferable for those who plan to save the scrapbook or anticipate it being such a big hit that others will want their own copies. Create a digital file of all of your information and copies of images. This way if you ever want to add to the scrapbook or reproduce information in the future you will have all of the information at your fingertips. The scrapbook also will serve as a good source material down the line should future generations want to learn about their ancestors. Scrapbooking is more than just detailing baby’s first birthday or a vacation. This popular pastime can help document the life of a special senior.
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8 Journal Tribune - Honoring Our Veterans
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Giving back to our men and women in uniform
embers of the military serve their country proudly, often sacrificing the luxuries of home and time spent with their families to do so. When veterans return home from training or deployment, many people want to show how much they appreciate the sacrifices made by the men and women of the military, but don’t know the best way to share that appreciation. Donations to a veterans’ charity is one measure of support the public can offer. Many charities work to serve the needs of veterans. The
Wounded Warrior Project provides rehabilitation, counseling and activities for veterans who were wounded during service, while Homes for Our Troops remodels homes or builds them for troops who were injured and need their homes remodeled as a result of their injuries. The USO provides a variety of services for veterans and can always use donations or volunteers. Another way to help veterans is to assist with their pets. Some dogs and cats get left behind when troops are deployed or forced to
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move. Volunteering to foster a pet until a soldier returns is another way to give back. Some military service dogs can be injured or traumatized during battle. Working dogs can be rehabilitated or adopted upon returning home. According to the organization Veterans, Inc., veterans are more at risk of becoming homeless than those who vdo not serve in the military. Some causes of homelessness include lack of education and transferable skills after returning from military life. Physical and mental health issues can make finding work challenging. Some veterans may cope with trauma resulting from their deployment by leaning on drugs and alcohol, and that can interfere with their ability to get and/or keep jobs. Individuals can help veterans by opening their homes to friends and family members who may need a temporary place to stay. Encourage veterans to embrace job training programs or seek therapy if necessary.
Providing support to military personnel both past and present can mean a world of difference. Correspond with veterans through mail, email or text messages. Operation American Soldier establishes connections between civilians and troops so that all soldiers receive
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daily mail, whether it’s a care package or letter of thanks. Other simple ways people can give back to troops is to personally thank them for serving their country. Share time with veterans and ask to spend time listening to their stories and experiences.
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