U.S. Marine Corps veteran Eugene Cheney Jr. stands by as former Prisoner of War Leon Tanguay of Sanford, who served in the Army in World War II, tolls the bell as the name of each Maine veteran of the Vietnam War still missing in action is read during ceremonies Saturday at Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Springvale. TAMMY WELLS/Journal Tribune
SPRINGVALE – At Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery, a location many say is the most serene of places, people paused Saturday to remember friends, neighbors loved ones – and people they didn’t know – who served in war and were imprisoned by the enemy or went missing in action.
It was a solemn occasion on a sunny, warm morning in the waning days of September – a day to think of others – to think of those who didn’t come home, and to thank those who did.
It was the annual commemoration of POW/MIA Recognition Day. While the day is set as the third Friday in September, this reminder of those who paid in ways only they will really know was marked on Saturday.
Members of Massabesic Naval Junior ROTC posted the colors Saturday during ceremonies marking POW/MIA Recognition Day at Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Springvale. The event is hosted annually by Rolling Thunder. TAMMY WELLS/Journal Tribune
Hosted by Rolling Thunder Maine Chapter 1, guests included veterans, representatives of local military organizations, family members, and others remembering and paying their respects. Joining in the ceremonies was the Massabesic Junior Naval ROTC group, along with an honor guard from the Brown-Emmons American Legion in Alfred and those representing U.S. Senators Susan Collins R,- Maine and Angus King, I-Maine.
“It is important to never forget our fallen soldiers, prisoners of war and those missing in action,” said Jessica Violette, president of the Rolling Thunder chapter.
Former Prisoner of War, World War II Army Scout Leon Tanguay, who was captured in France and held captive by the Nazis for nine months, sounded a bell as Paul LeBlanc read each of the names of Maine veterans who remain missing in action from the Vietnam War.
Vickie Uzzle , the daughter of a World War II MIA veteran, told the story of her father – Woodrow “Corkie” White, who was stationed on an LST (landing ship, tank) on Jan 26, 1944 during the Battle of Anzio, in Italy, A storm came up with 30 foot seas, sanding the landing craft onto minefields. She said her father went down to the lower decks and the LST was hit by a mine. He was among 500 men who ended up in the sea. There was a search that day, but White could not be found. His remains later washed ashore and were taken to a local parish and buried – but family members don’t know which one, and the search for his remains continues.
Altogether, LeBlanc said, from World War I to the Iraq War and associated conflicts, the remains of 85,362 men and women who served remain missing.
POW/MIA Recognition Day was marked Saturday at Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Springvale. TAMMY WELLS/Journal Tribune
“One day, what an honor it would be to received some of the remains here, in this cemetery,” said LeBlanc. “What a blessing and an honor.”
Beverly Bryan read the POW/MIA poem.
Annie Whitehouse sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Al Hartford read the Rolling Thunder mission statement – which is to publicize the POW/MIA issue, protect future veterans from being left behind, and helping veterans from all wars.
“We must never forget their courage,” said aide Prentiss Kurtz, reading a letter from Sen, Collins.
Bonnie Pothier spoke for Sen. King.
“It is an honor to recognize the brave service men and women who have been prisoners of war and those who remaining missing today, “she said, in part. “Let us join together to say ‘you are not forgotten.’”
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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