Every name tells a story

Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Gordon Kimball Sr., an 80-year-old veteran from Gray, looks over memorials at Veterans Memorial Park in Lewiston.

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- Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

Gordon Kimball Sr., an 80-year-old veteran from Gray

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- Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

LEWISTON — Something in his jumbled stack of death notices, marriage certificates and military discharges sparks Gordon Kimball's imagination. He imagines the heat of Gettysburg and the cold of Valley Forge.

And he thinks of the blood of those soldiers running through his veins.

"I get a big kick out of it," said Kimball, an 80-year-old retiree from Gray. "I want to share it."

On Wednesday, as former soldiers unveil the 18th monument in Veterans Memorial Park, stones honoring three of Kimball's ancestors will be revealed. Isaac Kimball and Andrew Dennis Mayberry fought in the Civil War. James Prince Sr. fought in the Revolutionary War.

All have other descendants around here, figures Kimball, who traces his ancestry back to the Mayflower's William Brewster. He hopes distant relatives might attend the unveiling.

"If I knew who to call, I'd call them," said Kimball, part of a clan that settled across much of western Maine. "I know they're out there."

His relatives won't be alone at Wednesday's unveiling ceremony, planned for 1:30 p.m.

Each of the stone's 216 names has someone who cared enough to document honorable military service and pay the $35 engraving fee, said Paul Bernard, who chairs the L&A Veterans Council.

The new installation will raise the total number of names on the park's tablets to 3,887, he said. "Every one of them has a story." 

All Mainers who served honorably in the service can get their names on the stones. They may be living or dead. They may have served during war or peace. And they may be of any rank. The stones make no mention of generals, admirals, chiefs, sergeants or buck privates.

"Everybody is equal," Bernard said.

Among the new names are a Turner man who saved 20 of his comrades in Vietnam, and seven brothers from the same Auburn family who served during World War II.

Several names have been engraved without the veterans' knowledge.

"There are a lot of people who are going to be surprised," Bernard said.

Kimball, a Korean War veteran, hopes to be surprised by the people who attend. He hopes to find a tangible connection to the people in his collection of books and papers.

"I've always read a lot of history," he said. "My wife gets disgusted with me."

He imagines that another Kimball might read his plea and attend Wednesday's service.

"Come down and see your name on the wall," he said.

dhartill@sunjournal.com

7 to 8 a.m.: Lewiston High School Air Force Cadets will hold their 3rd Annual Free Veterans Day Breakfast to area veterans and their families. A meal of eggs, ham, beans, biscuits, coffee, juice, water and fruit will be served by culinary arts students at 156 East Ave.

9:30 a.m.: Musical Tribute to Veterans at the Lewiston Armory. Bands from Lewiston, Edward Little and Leavitt Area high schools and the Just Us entertainers will perform. Color guard groups including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Amvets, Marine Corps League, Franco-American War Veterans and the Knights of Columbus will pass in review.

12:15 p.m.: The William Rodgers American Legion Post 153 on South Main Street in New Auburn will host a firehouse chili and corn bread lunch, prepared by staff from six local firehouses.

1:30 p.m.: The L&A Veterans Council will hold a brief unveiling ceremony of the 18th Veterans Memorial Stone, bringing the total number of names of veterans to 3,887. Terry Leavitt of Millinocket, the state commander of Disabled American Veterans, will unveil the stone which bears the DAV logo. A memorial bench honoring Robert E. Buchanan also will be unveiled. Buchanan is a World War II veteran who served in the Army Air Corps as a navigator in the 500th Bomb Squadron, known as the "Rough Raiders."

6:30 p.m.: Holy Family Catholic Church on Sabattus Street will hold a ceremony honoring veterans.