JAY – Sheltered in the shade of softwoods, seven riflemen fired three quick volleys into Saturday’s cloudless blue sky.

Spent, smoking brass cartridge shells clanged across the pavement beside 16-year-old trumpeter Andrew Moreau Jr. of Livermore Falls as he raised the instrument to his pursed lips.

He solemnly performed Taps twice, the mournful tones wavering on the breeze while 60 people watched during the National POW-MIA Recognition Day Ceremony by Frank L. Mitchell VFW Post 3335 and Ladies Auxiliary.

Nearly 45 minutes earlier, VFW event members and guests paid homage to servicemen and servicewomen at the POW-MIA Remembrance Bridge and Monument of All Wars.

Striving to be heard over the din of weekend traffic, Second District Congressman Michael H. Michaud of East Millinocket intoned his respect for “those who have given so much for this country.”

“I believe our government owes a great debt to its veterans,” he said. A member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Michaud, 48, was Post 3335’s guest speaker at the event at the Riley Road entrance off Route 4.

“Sadly, as we know, not everyone who answers the call returns home to his or her loved ones. Some make the ultimate sacrifice for our nation while others become POWs or are missing in action,” Michaud said.

Earlier this year, Michaud co-sponsored House Resolution 103 with Congressman Peter King, R-N.Y. The legislation seeks to establish a Select Committee on POW and MIA affairs within the U.S. House of Representatives.

The committee of 10 House members would conduct a full investigation of all unresolved matters relating to any United States personnel – including MIA’s and POW’s – unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, the Korean War, World War II, Cold War missions, or the Gulf War.

“Our government has a responsibility to search until we have answers about all of these missing Americans. It is important that we do not forget these missing Americans and that we find the answers to their whereabouts,” Michaud said.

After opening remarks by John Dube, Post 3335’s POW-MIA Committee chairman, three new yardarm flags were dedicated.

Assisted by Post 3335 Commander Neree Simoneau, Bert and Dolores Tessier Turmel of Jay raised the American flag that was draped over the coffin of Dolores’ uncle, Eugene Tessier, a WWII U.S. Army veteran.

Born on Sept. 22, 1905, Eugene Tessier was attached to the 8th Infantry, 13th Infantry Regiment. After landing in Normandy on July 3, 1944, he served in campaigns throughout Normandy, northern France, Rhineland, Germany and Central Europe. He died on Sept. 30, 1977.

Post Service Officer Don Wood then helped Joseph Groomes Jr. and former Vietnam War POW Charles Crafts, both of Livermore, raise the POW-MIA flag Groomes donated in memory of his father, Joseph Groomes. The elder Groomes was a former POW in Germany during WWII. He died on March 3, 1978.

Auxiliary District President Luanne Giguere, Michaud and Rep. Raymond G. Pineau, D-Jay, then raised the State of Maine flag, honoring all Mainers who made the supreme sacrifice in all wars.

Although the turnout of 60 people was less than crowds of previous years, Dube appreciated their attendance. Because of prior commitments, Post 3335 held Saturday’s program six days earlier than the national observance date of Friday, Sept. 19.

“This ceremony is a solace moment for myself,” Dube said. “On Aug. 23, 1966, I lost my youngest brother, Andre Dube, to the Vietnam War. But I was fortunate because his remains came home and are buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Livermore Falls.”

The tear-evoking ceremony ended with the audience singing “Some Gave All” by Billy Ray Cyrus.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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