Trees planted in honor of veterans

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom THANKING VIETNAM VETERANS AND FAMILIES — The Tisbury Manor Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution donated two flowering crabapple trees, which were planted at American Legion Post 29 in Dover-Foxcroft during a ceremony on May 18. The trees were given in honor of those who served in the Vietnam War and their family members as part of the chapter’s work as a commemorative partner of the Vietnam War Commemoration initiative.

By Stuart Hedstrom

Staff Writer

DOVER-FOXCROFT — In front of American Legion Post 29 on Park Street is an Honor Roll listing the names of local veterans who served from the Revolutionary War in the 18th century through the present in Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Honor Roll, which includes a granite monument in the middle with the words “In Honor of Those Who Served”, will now be abutted by a pair of flowering crabapple trees. The two trees were donated by the Tisbury Manor Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to honor and thank those who served in the Vietnam War and family members of these veterans, and the saplings were planted during an afternoon ceremony on May 17.

“We are here today to honor all of the living and the dead of the war in Vietnam,” Tisbury Manor Chapter Regent Nancy Battick said at the start of the ceremony. Battick explained a Presidential Proclamation authorized a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the conflict and over 7,000 organizations have joined as commemorative partners. She added that she is proud that a large number of DAR chapters are participating.

Commemoration objectives are to thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action, for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the U.S. and to thank and honor the families of these veterans; to highlight the service of the Armed Forces during the Vietnam War and the contributions of federal agencies and governmental and non-governmental organizations that served with or in support of the Armed Forces; to pay tribute to the contributions made on the home front by Americans during the Vietnam War; to highlight the advances in technology, science and medicine related to military research conducted during the Vietnam War; and to recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by the allies of the U.S. during the Vietnam War.

“Today we want to thank all of the veterans of the war,” Battick said, asking those who served during this time to please raise their hands. “We want to thank each and every one of you and I ask for a round of applause,” she said, as these veterans were each given gifts of commemorative pins and decals.

The Tisbury Manor Chapter is planning commemoration events across Piscataquis County, with the tree plantings at American Legion Post 29 being the first.