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Dedication of Vietnam Veterans Memorial

New memorials for Maine’s Vietnam veterans will be unveiled Monday at the Cole Land Transportation Museum in Bangor.

They will include a statue of three soldiers and a granite monument with the names of each of the 339 Mainers who died in Vietnam.

The unveiling and dedication is to be the climax of a three-hour ceremony, during which Gov. John Baldacci is also expected to speak.

Invitations have been sent out to every American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars hall in Maine, with the aim of drawing hundreds of veterans, said Galen Cole, a World War II veteran and founder of the museum.

If the expected 300-plus World War II veterans attend, it could be one of the largest gatherings this year of people from that war, Cole said.

Planners for the ceremony also hope to gather as many as 250 veterans from Vietnam. Each will be honored with a carnation and the respect of everyone who attends, said Cole.

In all, there will be four Vietnam-era items dedicated. Besides the statue and the monument, Cole plans to unveil an M60A3 battle tank from that era and, more emblematic of the period, a Huey helicopter.

This aircraft actually saw action in Vietnam with the 170th, 22nd and 129th attack helicopter companies.

Tom Stryker, who piloted the chopper, will be among the speakers.

The planned program is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. Monday at the memorial site. The dedication of the Vietnam items is to begin about 45 minutes later.

Besides the governor, John Cashwell, a Bangor city councilor and a pilot in Vietnam, will also make a short speech.

Admission to the monuments and the museum – typically a $5 charge for adults – will be free for the holiday.

On the Web: www.colemuseum.org