BUCKFIELD – Veterans of four wars shared stories and memorabilia Wednesday at Buckfield High School.

During a coffee hour, veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq mingled among tables laden with newspaper clippings from the ’40s to today.

The commander of American Legion Post 28, Richard Pope, talked about being an Army machine gunner in Korea. Ronald Easter said he served under General Patton in Europe. Mason Bennett served in the Navy during World War II. Heidi Darling is with the 133rd Engineer Battalion of the Maine Army National Guard, and is looking to be deployed at any time. Police Lt. Wayne Gallant of Rumford served in Vietnam.

“I’m nervous and excited. I want to be with my unit and fulfill my duty to my country,” she said.

Larry Brown proudly pointed to a picture of his son in Iraq. He said his son is busy building clinics and schools and he hears from him via the Internet about twice a week.

Loraine Parsons, who promotes veterans activities in Hartford, came with her friend Joan Campbell, who had a brother in the Vietnam war.

Krissy Barker sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” to start the program. A PowerPoint presentation followed, with pictures of soldiers past and present. As the pictures were presented, popular songs with patriotic themes were played.

Gallant shared his experiences in the Vietnam War. He said he was glad that returning military people are treated better than he was. He also said it took him a long time to forgive America for the cursing, thrown items and name-calling he endured on his return.

He said that when he came home in 1971, his father took him by the Veterans of Foreign War post in Rumford, and it was the first time anyone in had said, “Welcome Home.”

Years later, writing a journal on forgiveness in college, he came to grips with the hurt and said, “America, I forgive you.”

Gretchen Kimball presented Pope with flags that seventh-grade students had gathered from the veterans’ grave sites in Buckfield. They will be replaced in the spring by the Buckfield American Legion post.

The day was planned by Judi Weeks, a special education teacher at Buckfield High School. Pope presented her with a certificate of appreciation from the John D. Long American Legion Post 58 of Buckfield.