GARDINER – Members of the Maine Vietnam Veterans Vigil Committee will hold the annual vigil at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at the new POW-MIA Remembrance Memorial Park at the Smith Wiley American Legion Post 4, Griffin Street.

The vigil will be held on National POW-MIA Remembrance Day. Each year the committee holds the 14-hour vigil for the 14 Maine men still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.

Anyone who wishes may participate and stand for 10 minutes at a time until the 14 hours have been concluded. At 11 a.m. Saturday the actual ceremony will begin with the Tree of Hope and guest speakers.

Bill Thomas, committee chairman, said, “We are all getting older and these vigils seems to get harder for us, so we can use all the help we can get.”

Post 4 will remain open for members and guests who participate in the vigil.

Carole Thomas, secretary, said, “It is wonderful to see people come in to the vigil at midnight and offer to help us out. Our organization has members throughout the entire state of Maine, and you don’t need to be veteran or spouse of a veteran to join or offer help. Just come by and offer your time.”

Anyone wanting more information can call Bill Thomas at 353-2152.


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