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Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, November 11, 20112 VETERANS DAY SALUTE

an Alpha One Company

33 Roger Street, Lewiston ME 04240www.genesishcc.com

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We pay tribute to those who have proudly served in our

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By Jackie Rybeck Feature Writer / Photographer

VETERAN KEN CARLIN:

Every day is Veterans Day

Ken Carlin, of Mechanic Falls, has two military discharges: one from the Army and one from t he Marines. He is a veteran with a great sense of humor, but when it comes down to the war time, he has nothing but great patriotism and pride for his comrades and country.

Carlin was drafted in October 1955, when the Korean War was just about over. He took his basic training at Fort Dix, Ne w Jer s e y a nd at tende d radio school.

“A nd I woke up in Korea ! ” he excla i me d . “ W hen we g ot t h e r e , t h e c o m p a n y commander wanted everyone who was at least six-feet tall and 150 pounds to ‘stay put.’ They needed military police and they kept me on the road as an MP. I then applied to get in as a wheel vehicle mechanic and I got the job.”

Carlin’s sergeant wanted to make him shop foreman and give him the rank of corporal.

“I never sa id a word,” he laug hed. “I was a lready a corporal, but I’d been wearing an old uniform to work. Boy, did he come back and give me a hard time. I did get one rank to sergeant though.”

Carlin served in Korea for 16 months. “It was at the end of the war, but it was still a mess. I loved my job though.”

Ca rl i n even had Korea n s working alongside him. “They were amazing. You gave them a shovel or a spoon and they’d be an expert in no time at all.”

Once his two years of active d u t y i n t h e A r m y w e r e completed, Carlin furthered his military duty by serving two years of active duty and two years of inactive service in the Marine Reserves.

Carlin also took a few college courses using t he GI bi l l .

During his younger years, Carlin worked in furniture manufacturing and even owned his own sheet metal shop.

“ T h e n a n op e n i n g c a m e at t he Mechanic Fa l ls Post Office. I started out part-time a nd ret i red t here a f ter 30 great years. My last 17 years I served as the Postmaster. And I’m a proud member of the Marine Corp League and the American Legion Post 150 in Mechanic Falls.”

After a wonderful life with the love of his life, family and work, this veteran ref lects on the military and how it has affected his life.

“It’s made me a better person,” Carlin said. “It made me love my wife and family more. It made me proud to have served.”

What does Veterans Day mean to him?

“Veterans Day is special to many, but to me, Veterans Day is every day of the year. It’s on my mind every day. It’s thanking every veteran you see; it’s paying for a soldier’s breakfast when he or she is home on leave. It’s a lot of little

things that mean a lot to these great people. It’s not like being a good Christian at Christmas,”

he added. “We need to honor our vets every day. They are paying a price every day.”

Ken Carlin, of Mechanic Falls, was in the Army and the Marine Corp League.

Carlin’s military uniform still hangs with pride in his home.

Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Friday, November 11, 2011 VETERANS DAY SALUTE 3

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Making Veterans Day even more meaningfulThe Library of Congress Veterans History Project is calling on all Americans to make Veterans Day more meaningful for the veterans in their lives by recording their memories of military service.

Preserving history

Established by the U.S. Congress in 2000, VHP’s mandate is to collect, preserve and make accessible the firsthand recollections of America’s war veterans. Through a network of volunteers from across the country, VHP has collected more than 75,000 stories, of which more than 10,000 have been digitized and made accessible via VHP’s website, www.loc.gov/vets.

“Our goal is to help make Veterans Day more meaningful and personal for veterans and their loved ones,” said VHP Director Bob Patrick. “What better way to do that than by recording their war stories and submitting them to the Library of Congress, where they will be preserved for generations to come,” he added.

A free guide is available

Straightforward guidelines in VHP’s Field Kit (a how-to-record-a-story booklet) show volunteers how to interview a veteran for 30 minutes or longer while recording the conversation using their own audio- or video-recording equipment. Next, volunteers may send the original recording, along with VHP’s required forms, to the Library of Congress, where they are added to the Library’s permanent collections.

A profile page for each veteran who shares a story with VHP appears on www.loc.gov/vets four to six months

from the date VHP receives the collection, and the profile is accessible to researchers, teachers, authors and the general public through VHP’s searchable online database.

The project a lso accepts original photographs, letters, military documents, diaries, journals, two-dimensional artwork and unpublished memoirs.

A meaningful project

National organizations, local groups and individuals, including students in grades 10 and higher, are encouraged to mark the day with this meaningful volunteer project by interviewing veterans within their own families or communities or by collaborating with local veterans service organizations to collect stories.

For more information or to request a VHP Field Kit, contact VHP at 888-371-5848, email [email protected] or visit www.loc.gov/vets.

The Project collects first-hand accounts of U.S. Veterans from the following wars:

* World War I (1914-1920)

* World War II (1939-1946)

* Korean War (1950-1955)

* Vietnam War (1961-1975)

* Persian Gulf War (1990-1995)

* Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts (2001-present)

In addition, those U.S. citizen civilians who were actively involved in supporting war efforts (such as war industry workers, USO workers, f light instructors, medical volunteers, etc.) are also invited to share their valuable stories.

Jer r y DeW it t ’s busi ness card simply says “Doc,” a nickname he inherited

from his fellow veterans.

Considering his ser v ice as a f l ight medic, paramedic, e m e r g e n c y m e d i c a l te c h n ic i a n, a nd l ic en s e d practical nurse, DeWitt wears the name well as he looks back on his military career.

“In high school, I was a Civil Air Patrol Cadet and my plan was to join the Air Force as an Airman 3rd Class,” said DeWitt. Because of a family circumsta nce, DeWitt was unable to finish high school, which was a requirement to join the Air Force. “So, I joined the Army, instead, in 1964.”

DeWitt, who is 65 years old, is originally from Ohio and now lives in New Gloucester, Ma i ne. He ser ved i n t he military for 28 years retiring with the rank of Sergeant First Class. His service took him to Korea and stateside locations during the time of the Vietnam War. “I guess they needed me elsewhere,” quipped DeWitt.

DeWitt is best known in Maine for his commitment to services for veterans. His resume in this area is substantial and impressive. He has served as the national chairman for the American Red Cross Services to Vetera n s a nd Fa m i l ies and as national chairman for Vetera ns A f fa irs Volunta r y Ser v ices. He has prov ided service to many VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) posts and has been active with the Franco-American War Veterans.

In 2008, he went to Iraq as assistant station manager for emergency communications for the American Red Cross.

“Every day, it was about 120 degrees. It gets so that you don’t want to know what the temperature is,” said DeWitt.

C u r r e nt l y, he i s a V i s t a volunteer w it h Tr i-Count y Mental Health Services where he is a vetera n’s out reach coordinator. In this role, he’s a n advocate for vetera ns’

services and his passion to help is at the forefront. “Veterans s u f f e r f r o m P T S D ( P o s t Traumatic Stress Disorder), depression and suicides,” said DeWitt. “And with the current wars, there’s stress on veterans and their families regarding their deployments.”

DeWitt a lso helps veterans through a maze of applications required to obtain various ser v ices. “This is t he 1010 EZ form,” explained DeWitt,

u n fold i ng a mu lt i layere d form that doesn’t look “easy” to complete at al l. He also pointed to another 14-page form that must be completed to request services.

Another major focus for his work centers on female veterans.

“Too often, female veterans have been forgotten,” said DeWitt, noting that it wasn’t u nt i l recent decades t hat women had access to a l l veterans’ benefits and services. He’s work ing on a n event slated for December that will remote broadcast a program targeted to female veterans in rural areas. We want to get information out to them so they know what is available.”

DeW it t is ref lect ive when asked what his advice might be to a youngster considering mil ita r y ser v ice. “It is not worth risking your life in the military if you are joining just to get educational benefits,” said DeWitt. “However, if you want to join the military to serve your country, that’s a whole other discussion.”


No words, no ceremony,no ribboned medal could

adequately honor you and your service. Your sacrifices in the

name of freedom are remembered and deeply appreciated.

Patrons Oxford Insurance CompanyAuburn, Maine

For all the things you value.

THE SHIELDS FAMILY IS HONORED TO HAVE SERVED

THE UNITED STATES IN THEARMED FORCES

In Memory of:

Thomas Shields -MO. State Militia Volunteer Cavalry - 1862-1865

James Alexander Shields -MO. State Militia Volunteer Cavalry - 1862-1865

James Thomas Shields - U.S.Navy - 1917-1919

Ford Nicholas Shields - A.E.F. Air Service - 1917-1919

James Bryant Shields - U.S.Navy - 1989-1991

In Honor of:

Kenneth E. Shields - U.S. Navy - 1944-1946Dr. Thomas Ford Shields - U.S.A.F. - 1958-1966Linda Shields - U.S. Army Corps - 1971-1995Kenneth A. Shields - U.S. Army - 1994-2011

By Dan Marois Feature Writer / Photographer

VETERAN JERRY DEWITT:

Definition of first class service in the military

Submitted photoDewitt in 1964 as a new enlistee.

Jerry DeWitt, of New Gloucester, stands by a banner given to him by friends before he went to serve in Iraq.

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In Honor of

ROSCOE GLINESTRUITT

Thank you for your servicefor our freedom.

Love, Terri

In Honor of

ERNEST LEEKELLEY

Thank you for all you did foryour country and for us.Love, Terri, Joe, Eleanor,Andrew and Stephanie

In Honor of

LEROY M.HILLIARD JR.

Love, Mary, Paula, Sonny,Kathy, Charlie, Cathy,

Sharon, Tim, Grandchildren& Great-Grandchildren

In Honor of

BRANDON J.PELLETIER

Great Job. We are veryproud of you.

Love, Mom & Dad

In Honor of

MSG MARC L.CYR

Thank you for 34 years of service.We are so proud of you!

Love, Mike, Christie, Amandaand Lindsay

In Honor of

ANTHONYMAZZA

We’re both proud of you.Love, Mom & Dad

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We are so proud of all you’vedone and still do.

Love You, Mom & Dad

In MEMORY Of

R. MICHAELBEHR

We will always miss you.Love you still.

Love, Mom, Dad & Family

In Honor of

VICTOR R.BELANGER SR.

We are proud of your service.Love,

Pauline, Linda, Russell & Janine

In Honor of

FRANKIE CURTIS

Glad you’re home for theHolidays! We are allvery proud of you.

Love, Mom & Dad, Richardand Family

In Honor of

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Glad you’re home safe. We alllove and miss you.Love, Mom, Dad,

Lance, Lukeus & Families

In MEMORY Of

wilfred h. viger

WWII Veteran. Service Dates 1940-1945.Thank you Dad for your dedicated service

to our country. You are truly a hero inour eyes. We all miss you every day and

forever, all 8 of us children.

All My Love, Daughter Brenda

In Honor of

SCOTT P. ST. PIERRE

Thank you for 20 yearsof dedicated service.

We are very proud of you.Love, Elaine, Devin, Drew,

Heather & Brian

In MEMORY Of

pfc buddy w.m�clain8-3-86 ~ 10-29-10

You’ll always be our reason for living, ourhero. Never goodbye, see ya later.

Love, Chelsea, Owen,and Uncle Cote

In Honor of

JAMES W.SCRIVNER

Thank you for serving our countryfor 22½ years. We are proud of you.

Love, Jamie & Sue

Mildred Covell grew up in Monmouth, and in the early 1940s she had graduated from col lege and was teaching in Southwest Harbor.

Life was good.

“But it all changed suddenly,” she said. “It came over the radio that the Japs had bombed Pearl Harbor.”

Her community, including her parents, were helping in the war effort, mostly watching for planes in the area.

“Everyone was pitching in together,” she said. “I just had to do something, too; I couldn’t stop thinking about it.”

During summer break, Covell headed to the nearest recruitment center.

“I enlisted in the Navy,” she smiled. “The WAVES: Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service.”

She got her orders and left for the Bronx on October 19, 1943 with two suitcases bigger than herself.

“ B a s i c t r a i n i n g w a s q u i t e a n experience,” she exclaimed. “You had to learn to take orders, and most of all you couldn’t talk back.”

Covell was trained in the Medical Corp and had hoped to become an officer.

“A college education usually meant you were an officer,” she laughed. “But you had to be five feet tall and I was 4-feet-11-and-a-half. I ended up as Pharmacist’s Mate, First Class,” she added.

T he you ng WAV E worked at t he Sampson Air Base in upstate New York

and then went to Plattsburg as well as St. Albans Naval Hospital on Long Island.

“Mostly I was in the clinic with a nurse, helping test the young recruits and give them shots. But, at St. Albans, they had just started a new program called rehabilitation and we dealt with soldiers who had lost limbs or even their minds.”

Victory over Japan day, familiarly known as V-J Day, finally came and Covell and her comrades were bussed to New York City to celebrate.

“We were in the ticker-tape parade,” she said. “It was terribly hot and many people fainted. We were jammed in so tight and everyone was grabbing each other; it was pretty scary for a Maine girl.And, no,” she added. “I was not the lady getting kissed.”

After three years and three months, this patriot came home. “I bought a home in Greene with a GI loan and used the GI bill to get my Masters in Education. I taught in the Lewiston school system until I retired.”

Covel l has t raveled to ever y wa r monument across the country. “The WAV ES Monument in D.C. is quite unique. Names of all the WAVES are next to buttons and when you press it, a photo and information comes up on a big screen. And I am there.”

What did serving mean to this veteran? “It allowed me to grow up; it was a rewarding experience. WWII taught us that we are all in the same boat. We all came together, through the rationings and the war and we made it through. But seeing those thousands of men was an awakening; some made it, some did not. Every day was a funeral.”


Thank you to ALL Veteransespeciallyour Dad,Raymond Spruce,who servedin WWII.

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We salute you today and every day.Thank you for your service to our Great Country.

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WE PROUDLYSUPPORT

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VETERAN MILDRED COVELL:

Volunteering for the WAVES and the need to help

Mildred Covell, a native of Monmouth, served as a Navy WAVE during WWII. Covell recently said, “I just wish I could live long enough to see the world free of wars.”

Mildred Covell’s hat, active duty card and pin she received from the state of Maine.

Walter “Wally” Dixon was drafted in 1942; his brother Harry “Buddy” was drafted about a year later. “We were both in the Army,” said Wally. “Buddy was two years younger, so I got called up first. I worked in the medical section giving shots and caring for sick soldiers.”

“I had repaired watches a bit before I was drafted, so I ended up as a watchmaker,” added Buddy. “Besides watches, I a lso worked on ot her instruments such as binoculars.”

Wally ended up in England, north of London and Buddy was in New York for a year before being shipped out. “We would write to each other,” said Wally. “And, after a while, Buddy wrote, telling me told me that he was coming to England, but he didn’t know exactly where he would be or when he would be here.”

“And, for security reasons,” added Buddy, “you couldn’t use the name of a town within a 50-mile radius of where you were located. Wally could have been in the next town for all I knew.”

Buddy tried it once. “I found the letter in the office. The town had physically been cut out of the letter.”

The only thing Buddy had to go on was a postcard from Wally. “It was from the Rainbow Corner Red Cross Club in London,” explained Buddy. “It was in London, which ended up being more than 50 miles away from both of us.” Buddy got two 48-hour passes and headed for London.

“I told him to find Piccadilly Circus,” laughed Wally as he looked at his brother.

“I was looking for a circus, like Ringling Brothers,” chuckled Buddy. “I did think it was a bit odd for war time.”

Buddy f ina l ly found t he crowded Rainbow Club. “There were soldiers everywhere and I was an hour early,” e x p l a i n e d B u d d y. “ T h e r e w e r e numerous reception rooms and on more than one floor.”

As he searched, everyone suddenly stood at attention. “I looked over and General Eisenhower walked in,” smiled Buddy. “I’m looking for my brother and run into Eisenhower.”

A fter greet ings and an autograph from the General, Buddy went back to searching for his brother. “I went halfway up the stairs and watched the door, then went outside and walked back in, in case he was inside doing the same,” said Buddy.

“That’s when I saw him,” said Wally. “My brother; it had been such a long time.”

The two brothers, f inally reunited, reminisced and spent a couple of days together. “I’m glad we got to see each other,” said Buddy with a tear in his eye. “I had no idea that I was being shipped out to Normandy right after.”

Since returning home from war, Wally and Buddy have remained close and devoted to one another. Being a veteran means the world to them.

“I’m proud to have served,” said Wally. “And even more proud today when people say thank you.”

“I agree,” said Buddy. “People seem to respond to my hat and say something, more so now than before. It’s just nice to feel appreciated.”


“A Special thanks to all who haveserved and continue to serve ourcountry, we are forever grateful”

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VETERANS WALLY AND BUDDY DIXON:

Finding each other during the war was a tricky matter

Harry Dixon, of Lewiston, and his brother, Walter, of Greene, reunited in England during the war.

The Dixons wear their military hats with pride.


“We salute all of our Veterans pastand present and we thank you

and your families today andevery day for your service.”

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Project Gemini opens new doorsIt can be easier to cope with a situation if you talk to someone who shares your unique point of view—and that’s especially important for blinded veterans. To reach out to other blinded veterans and their families, six U.S. Armed Forces veterans without sight recently traveled to the United Kingdom.

Project Gemini, a joint effort of the Blinded Veterans Association and St. Dunstan’s, took the veterans, four of them blinded in recent combat operations, across the Atlantic Ocean for six days of educational exchange and the sharing of friendship, knowledge and insights with their British comrades.

The project obtained its name from the t ra nsat la nt ic telecom mu n icat ions cable that stretches from England to the United States. Project Gemini created an opportunity for blinded veterans to meet in a relaxed environment and, formally and informally, exchange ideas and views regarding the best ways to support veterans who have lost their sight.

Subjects of discussion were rehabilitation and readjustment training, vision research and adaptive technology for the blind.

“During the week, we shared helpful hints about coping with blindness and the ‘war stories’ that are part of the adjustment process,” said Tom Zampieri, director of government relations at BVA. “We compared the British veterans’ health care system with the American system operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs and its dozens of component medical centers, outpatient clinics and veterans homes throughout the country.”

Project Gemini is an outgrowth of Operation Peer Support, a BVA program begun in 2006 that brings together veterans of recent conflicts with those who have lost their sight in Vietnam, Korea or during World War II. The program’s objective is to provide Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families with examples of and opportunities to interact with men and women who have led happy and prosperous lives despite their blindness.

Chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1958, BVA links veterans with the services they’ve earned. Membership is open to all legally blinded veterans who have served in the U.S. military. Membership is not required for veterans to receive assistance, which is free of charge. For more information, call BVA at 800-669-7079 or visit www.bva.org.

Blinded U.S. veterans shared friendship and insights with British comrades during weeklong visit in the U.K.

Blinded veterans find strength through Wounded Warrior programA lethal roadside bomb wounded Master Sergeant Jeffrey Mittman on July 7, 2005, in Baghdad, Iraq. Though within 30 minutes of the attack Mittman was airlifted to a hospital in Baghdad, he sustained permanent bodily damage. When he awoke one month later at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., he was blinded in his left eye, his right arm was badly damaged, and he had lost his nose, lips, and most of his teeth.

After the U.S. invaded Afghanistan in 2001, tales like Mittman’s have become increasingly more common. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq created more injuries resulting in blindness than any conflict since the Civil War. Advanced medical technologies have enabled more service personnel to survive serious injuries, which in prior wars would have resulted in fatalities.

Back at home, Mitt ma n faced ma ny roadblock s to rehabilitation. Today, as it was back then, 70 percent of working-age people who are blind cannot find jobs. Mittman chose to become involved in a training program with National Industries for the Blind through the Warrior in Transition Program; in this role he supports a critical mission of employment for people with disabilities. He recently received the prestigious “Oz Day” award, presented to a federal employee or member of the military who demonstrates exceptional service in promoting employment opportunities for people who are blind or severely disabled.

“I decided long ago – I can either own [my experiences] and learn from these experiences or I can let them own me. I chose the former,” said Mittman. “I am humbled and proud to receive this honor, and I am eager to continue to be an example to our wounded warriors and other individuals with disabilities, showing them what is possible.”

Through the Wounded Warrior Program at NIB, wounded veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts can become informed about t ra ining, job placement a nd ca reer opportunities within NIB and 90 associated nonprofit agencies across the country. NIB’s mission is to enhance the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining, and improving employment. For more information, visit Wounded Warrior at www.nib.org.

Wreat hs Across A mer ica ha s beg u n it s 2011 effort to honor every veteran buried at A rl i ng ton Nat iona l Cemeter y. T h is

year the organization’s National Remembrance Ceremony at Arlington will take place on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 and will be the first in the cemetery’s history of this magnitude.

During the day, thousands of volunteers will place a holiday wreath and hold a brief moment of silence at each veteran’s head stone — 220,000 in total. To fulfill its mission, Wreaths Across America seeks to significantly expand sponsorships and wreath donations by mid-November.

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 by the Worcester family, owners of the Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine.

The wreath-laying effort began with a simple act of patriotism when co-owner of the Worcester Wreath Company, Morrill Worcester, donated 5,000 evergreen wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery in 1992.

Today, the annual pilgrimage from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery is known as the world’s largest veteran’s parade with 50 long-haul tractor trailers from major sponsors making the week-long journey.

“It is our great honor to place a holiday wreath on every head stone at Arlington to ensure that all of those buried on this hallowed ground are uniquely acknowledged and remembered for sacrificing their

lives to protect our freedoms,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America.

“For this reason, we are committed to coordinating this parade, creating and distributing the wreaths and securing the logistical support necessary to successfully execute an event of this scale. Our hope is that veterans across the country will view this event as a symbol of the American people’s profound appreciation,” she said.

The parade will stop at schools, monuments, veterans’ homes and communities along the way to remind people how important it is to remember, honor and teach — in keeping with the organization’s mission to teach younger generations about the value of their freedom and the importance of honoring those who sacrificed so much to protect those freedoms.

This year, including the effort at Arlington, Wreaths Across America will distribute 400,000 wreaths nationwide, providing support for memorials in all 50 states, including special services at Valley Forge Military Academy, Pearl Harbor, Bunker Hill, Charleston Naval Shipyard, and a wreath for every victim of 9/11 in New York City, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pa.

Follow Wreaths Across America on Facebook at http://Facebook.com/ArlingtonWreaths and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/WreathsAcross.


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WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA LAUNCHED 2011 CAMPAIGN TO HONOR EVERY VETERAN BURIED AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Volunteers will place 220,000 holiday wreaths at each veteran’s head stone; Wreaths to travel from Maine to Virginia via convoy of 50 long-haul tractor-trailers

U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jim VarhegyiHundreds of volunteers gathered at Arlington National Cemetery to place more than five thousand donated Christmas wreaths on head stones in section 27 of the cemetery in a previous ceremony. The annual wreath laying event is a result of Harrington, Maine, based Worcester Wreath Company owner Morrill Worcester’s boy- hood dream of doing something to honor those laid to rest in the national cemetery.

W hile f ly ing t he P3 Orion aircraft, Tom Jarvis, of Lisbon Fa l ls, had his eye on one thing—Soviet submarines.

As an aviation anti-submarine w a r f a re oper ator for t he Nav y, Jarvis had the duty of locating and tracking Soviet submarines, a vital mission during the height of the Cold War against Soviet aggression.

T h r o u g h t h e a i r c r a f t ’s detection systems, Jarvis was able to identify any magnetic a noma l ies on t he ea r t h’s surface caused by a submarine in the waters below.

“Have you ever seen the movie, Hunt for Red October?” asked Jarvis. “I think there was a character named Jonesy. Well, that’s what I did in the Navy.”

Originally from Port Angeles, Washington, Jarvis’ Navy career totaled 26 years after retiring in 1993 with the rank of chief petty officer. Like many young men in the 1960s, Jarvis was drafted to ser v ice and his brother convinced him to join the Navy.

“I expected to be in for two years of active duty and four years of

drilling,” admitted Jarvis, never realizing that the military would become a career.

During his time in the Navy, he was stationed in many stateside bases including the former Brunswick Naval Air Station in Maine. One overseas venture took him to Iceland, where he spent three years.

“The people in Iceland were friendly and there was a lot to do in fishing, travelling, and activities on the base,” said Jarvis. But with a northerly location that borders the Arctic Circle, the yearly cycles of midnight suns and very dark days could take its toll.

“We had midnight baseball leagues followed by times with only four hours of daylight,” said Jarvis. “I even worked in windowless buildings,” he added, noting that it was fine considering the drastic change in seasons.

Today, Jarvis maintains his military ties by volunteering for t he V iet na m Vetera ns of A mer ic a C hapter 10 4 4 i n Sa n ford, Ma i ne. He’s pa r t icu la rly proud of t he organization’s slogan, “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.”

“Vietnam veterans were not treated particularly well when they returned from service,” said Jarvis. “Our goal is to help those veterans who may need any kind of assistance.”

While there are many agencies that offer help to veterans, Jarvis said that the Vietnam Veterans of America can offer more immediate and personal help with financial issues for veterans and their families. And while its members are V i e t n a m v e t e r a n s , h e l p is of fered to a ny vetera n regardless of their service.

A key project of VVA is to provide i n for m at ion a bout A gent Orange, the blend of herbicides used du r i ng t he V iet na m era, that are linked to certain cancers and related diseases.

“Many don’t realize that there were ships in the path of Agent Orange that could have affected their health,” said Jarvis.

With the approach of Veterans Day 2011, Jarvis believes it is a perfect time to thank veterans for their service. “One of the nicest things to ever happen to me was the time when someone came up to me and shook my hand and thanked me for my service,” said Jarvis. “It really touched me.”


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VETERAN TOM JARVIS:

Lisbon Falls veteran had his eye on Soviet submarines

Tom Jarvis, of Lisbon Falls, compares his role in the Navy with what the character Jonesy did in the movie Hunt for Red October. Jarvis used the detection system on a P3 Orion aircraft to identify magnetic anomalies which might have been caused by a submarine below the water’s surface.

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How civilians can lend a helping hand to military familiesThe efforts of men and women in the military is something everyone, be it fellow military personnel or civ i lians, can appreciate. In an ef fort to protect t heir count r y a nd stabilize other countries, service members make many sacrifices, including leaving their families for long periods of time.

As a result, life is not always easy for military families. Husbands and wives miss their spouses and children miss their parents. In addition, military personnel typically move a lot, making it difficult to establish roots in a community. But there are ways civilians can lend a helping hand to military families.

The National Military Family Association offers some simple ways that civilians who want to show their appreciation can lend a helping hand to service members and their families.

Volunteer.

Many volunteer organizations p r o v i d e s e r v i c e s t o m i l i t a r y f a m i l i e s , a n d these organizations rely on volu nteer s to keep t hose p r o g r a m s a n d s e r v i c e s running. Whether volunteering you r t i me, ex per t ise i n a certain field or simply making a financial donation, such efforts will be appreciated and will help these important programs continue to meet the needs of military families who need your help.

Offer discounts.

Local business owners who operate their businesses in a rea s w it h la rge m i l it a r y p o p u l a t i o n s c a n o f f e r discounts to service members and their families.

Many ser vice members are not well compensated, and discounts on certain products or services can go a long way t o w a r d h e l p i n g m i l i t a r y families make ends meet.

Be flexible with employees.

Business owners who employ the immediate family of service members can be flexible with respect to scheduling. Service

members who are deployed don’t always make it home for the holidays, and their leave from service isn’t always convenient.

But their family members cherish the time they do get with them, so employers can be sympathetic to this and give them some flexibility with respect to their schedule during times when their loved one is on leave.

Make a military family part of your family.

If a neighbor is in a military family and their spouse or significant other is deployed, invite them over for dinner once a week and include them in your holiday celebrations if they’re spending the holidays alone because of a deployment.

T h i s c a n help quel l t he lonel i ness ma ny m i l it a r y spouses or significant others cope with. A weekly meal with friends and neighbors can add some normalcy to a lifestyle that is often anything but normal.

Offer babysitting services.

T h o s e w h o s e s p o u s e o r significant other is deployed often find it difficult to get out of the house for a night out with friends or even just some alone time. Offer to babysit or set up a play date with your kids and the child of a military family.

This provides a much-needed break that can help men and women recharge their batteries and let off some steam.

Provide a helping hand around the house. While it only takes one person to run a household, it’s certainly easier when two people are around to handle such a big responsibi l it y. Civilians can provide a helping hand around the house by offering to mow the lawn or make minor repairs should a problem arise.

When heading over, bring some food along and give a service member’s spouse or significant other a night off from cooking.

More information about helping military families can be found at www.militaryfamily.org.

Military families often need and always appreciate a helping hand from fellow members of their community.


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VETERAN MICHELLE MCVAY:

Successful veteran speaks of military opportunities

“Women are making up more of t he m i l it a r y t ha n ever before,” said Michelle McVay, a 20-year service veteran of the U.S. Nav y from Lisbon, Maine. “Women are doing everything now and there are all kinds of opportunities.”

McVay added, “When I joined the service in 1983, I would never have thought that women would do so much.”

McVay is living proof of the success enjoyed by fema le veterans. She retired from the Navy in 2004 with the rank of petty officer first class and a string of deployments that took her to Japan, Sicily, Iceland, Panama and stateside.

She ser ved as a n av iat ion s t r u c t u r a l m e c h a n i c – environmental on P3 Orion a i r c r a f t ov er s e ei n g s uc h functions as ejection seats and pressurization systems. The last nine years of her service were among her most interesting and challenging w h e n s h e c a m e t o t h e Brunswick Naval Air Station.

“I was challenged and enjoyed that the most,” said McVay, who

decided to remain in Maine after retiring.

Her postmilitar y education benefits allowed her to study o c c u p a t i on a l t h e r a p y a t Kennebec Valley Community College and she now works as a certified occupational therapy assistant for adults with serious and persistent mental illness.

“I use arts and crafts as a medium to help my clients ex plore t hei r sk i l ls,” sa id McVay. “If they learn that they can create something, they can

use that knowledge for their everyday living skills.”

While she’s had success in the military, she admitted that it was not always easy for her or for other women.

“A woman has to prove herself t w ice a s much a s a ma n because of (her) gender,” said McVay, noting that situations have improved through the years as the role of women in the military has evolved. “Now, there’s not much holding women back. I would have

never thought women would serve on submarines. Now, they do and there’s [even] a pi lot program w ith fema le officers on submarines.

“I’m proud that I’m a veteran,” said McVay, who believes that military service is a great way to learn about other cultures and about life, in general. “People who are serving now deserve the respect of every American. After 9/11, the need for the military to be there is greater than ever.”

One way that McVay supports our troops – very directly – is through a website called anysoldier.com.

“Anyone can go to the website and look at the posts from military throughout the world. You click on the post and see what items are being requested and you can choose to send items to that person,” said McVay, who believes it is a great way to show support from back home.

Re que st s u su a l l y i nvol ve amenit ies t hat ma ke dai ly living a bit easier. A recent post asked for items such as socks, beef jerky, deodorant, magazines, coffee supplies, f lavored dr in k mi xes, a nd shaving cream.

“I usually try to send female products to the women,” said McVay. “Those are hard to come by when serving overseas.”

“Women are making up more of the military than ever before,” said Michelle McVay, a 20-year service veteran of the U.S. Navy from Lisbon, Maine.

Did you know?Remembrance Day in Canada is a day to commemorate members of the armed forces. Remembrance Day is observed each year on November 11 because that marks the official end of World War I in 1918.

On that day, the Germans officially signed the armistice, an agreement that officially put an end to the fighting in WWI. That’s one reason why Remembrance Day is often referred to as Armistice Day.

Though the day has a significant connection to World War I, it also honors the men and women who fought for Canada in World War II, the Korean War and those who continue to serve in the military.

Over the years, more than 1.5 million Canadians have fought for their country and to defend the rights and freedoms of non-Canadians as well. Among the Remembrance Day traditions is the wearing of poppies, which are worn as the symbol of remembrance and a reminder of the blood-red flower that grows on the former battlefields of France and Belgium.

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