After participating in the dedication of the “Remember the Maine” monument, I was insulted by the coverage the Sun Journal gave this important event (Sept. 1).

There are many families who made sacrifices while a loved one was off at war.

There was no mention that the USS Maine was the first ship built at Bath Iron Works, that its sinking off Cuba started the Spanish-American War, and no mention of the lives lost that day (including five from Maine).

The Sun Journal had no article, but a picture captioned: “‘On the bottom where the dogs pee,’ said Paul Plante to his friends while describing where his name is engraved.” In my opinion, this was a disgrace to all our servicemen.

I am sure the other 215 people felt special to have their names displayed for their dedication and sacrifice on a monument the Sun Journal covered as a place for “dogs to pee.” There was a shell recovered from the original ship and Collette’s Monuments incorporated it into the design of the monument.

The ceremony was moving, with visitors including Rear Adm. Kevin McCoy from Washington D.C., letters from Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, the mayors of Lewiston and Auburn, and University of Southern Maine Professor Joel Eastman, who told fascinating details about the USS Maine.

This was a marvelous dedication done by the Lewiston-Auburn Veterans Council in honor of these fallen Naval men and should have received better coverage.

Janet Beaulieu, Auburn