Veterans receive long-due honors

LEWISTON — Bertrand Morin rarely talked about his Army days until he began wearing a ball cap with the words "War War II Veteran" emblazoned across the front.

Strangers began thanking him. On vacation in Alaska, he drew comments at every stop. Finally, the 86-year-old Lewiston man began to talk, said his daughter, Connie Durgin.

He began describing his work to build bridges and repair airfields in the island-hopping campaign across the Pacific. The former combat engineer pulled out his bundle of discharge papers — known in the military as the "DD-214" — and he surprised his family.

"I never saw them until a few weeks ago," said his son, Daniel, an Air Force chief master sergeant. The papers had included a list of honors. Among them were the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, each with a Bronze star attachment.

"These are big medals," Daniel Morin said. 

And Bertrand Morin never had them until Sunday. In an informal service, U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud presented Morin and three other local veterans — Raymond Boulet, Arthur Raymond and Joseph Bussiere — their long-overdue honors.

Such honors have become a common part of Michaud's visits home to Maine.

"It's something I like to do," said Michaud, who serves on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Each medal represents something owed to the veteran. Often it is also a tangible reminder to families of the sacrifice endured by a grandfather or grandmother, father, mother, aunt or uncle.

"We didn't know how much his service meant to him," said Connie Durgin, Morin's daughter. "But he's been looking forward to this."

Morin wasn't alone.

All four men dressed in their Sunday best and stood proudly when Michaud presented them with their framed medals. Raymond saluted Michaud. Bussiere and Boulet beamed. Morin shook hands with Michaud, but he received his medals from his son Daniel and his nephew, Shawn Durgin, a petty officer second class in the Coast Guard.

Durgin traveled up from North Carolina. Daniel Morin flew in from Hill Air Force Base, located just outside Salt Lake City, Utah.

"This is something that should have been done for him when he came home," Morin said. His sister, Connie, figured that their dad was probably shy about asking for the medals he was owed.

If veterans or their families feel they might not have received all of their medals or ribbons, they ought to ask questions, Michaud said.

"Even if you're not sure, contact my office," he said. "We'll definitely do what we can."

dhartill@sunjournal.com Bertrand A. Morin
Good Conduct Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal & Bronze Star attachment
WWII Victory Medal
Philippine Liberation Ribbon & Bronze Star Attachment
Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII
Marksman Badge & Rifle Bar

Raymond J. Boulet
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal & Bronze Star Attachment
United Nations Service Medal

Arthur C. Raymond
Good Conduct Medal
Army of Occupation Medal & Germany Clasp
National Defense Service Medal
Sharpshooter Badge & Carbine Bar
Marksman Badge & Rifle Bar

Joseph A. Bussiere
Air Force Commendation Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with four Bronze Oak Leaf
Clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Small Arms Expert Marksman Ribbon