Members of the Sons of the Union Veterans and Western Maine Veterans Advisory Committee were involved in presenting the testimonial dinner on July 20 to honor Myron Pierce. From the left are Clint Delano and Ken Butterfield, SUV; Pierce; Gene Bickford, SUV; and Joe Cooney and Marilyn Ramsey, WMVAC.

Pierce is honored at Paris testimonial

PARIS – A testimonial honoring Myron Pierce was hosted by the Joshua L. Chamberlain Camp 69, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, on July 20. The dinner and ceremony took place at the Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris and was a joint effort between the Sons of Union Veterans and the Western Maine Veterans Advisory Committee.

The barbecue was prepared by Marilyn Ramsey, member of the committee, and was attended by approximately 150 persons, including Pierce’s family.

The program began with a welcome from Ken Butterfield, past department commander of Sons of Union Veterans Civil War Camp 69. A color guard from the Foster-Carroll Post 72, American Legion, posted the colors.

The Rev. Donald Mayberry of the First Congregational Church in South Paris offered a prayer. The national anthem was sung by Cynthia McGuire, accompanied by Michael Pierce, both children of Pierce.

A membership badge and 30-year bar were presented by Gene Bickford, past state commander of the American Legion and past commander of Camp 69. A citation from the state was presented by Ken Butterfield.

U.S. congressional members were represented by Diane Jackson from Sen. Olympia Snowe’s office, Matt Lapoint from Rep. Tom Allen’s office and Matt Dubois from Rep. Michael Michaud’s office.

Jackson said Snowe will put a statement of Pierce’s accomplishments into the congressional record. Caldwell Jackson and Steve Merrill of the Oxford County Commissioners’ office were introduced. Bill Damon presented Pierce with a helmet liner.

Guest speaker was Peter Ogden, director of Maine Veterans Services, which is part of the adjutant general’s office.

Lesley Dean, past national president of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, brought greetings from the national president and the Maine Department, DUV. Gail Butterfield, past national president of the DUV, brought greetings from the Elizabeth Crockett Blake Tent 8, Norway, and Hannah F Richardson Tent 19, Stoneham.

Cindy McGuire sang “Lili Marlene,” Pierce’s favorite song, accompanied again by Michael Pierce. A closing prayer was given by Mayberry.

Anyone interested in joining the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War can contact Dennis Gray at 743-7730, Clint Delano at 562-4416, Den Butterfield at 583-4468, Myron Pierce at 743-2262 or Gene Bickford at 743-2158. For more information about the Western Maine Veterans Advisory Committee, contact Joe Cooney at 743-9494 or Marilyn Ramsay at 743-5723.