MECHANIC FALLS – The Mechanic Falls-Minot American Legion Post 150 and Legion Riders held a special ceremony in honor of a former Prisoner of War, Charlie Crafts of Livermore.

Department of Maine Commander Paul L’Heureux spoke to legionnaires on the theme, “Never to be Forgotten.” L’Heureux spoke of how quickly this country is making veterans and yet how quickly they forget their veterans, mentioning the MIA in Iraq.

Two frosted cakes were present – one with the POW/MIA symbol and the motto, “You’re Not Forgotten.”

Veterans came from all around to pay honor to Vietnam veteran and former POW Charles Crafts, who is also a member of the American Legion.

Crafts served as an Army sergeant in Vietnam from 1964-1967. He was only 22 years old when he served with the 33rd Ranger Battalion and was captured in 1964 when South Vietnam was facing political instability following the coup against President Ngo Dinh Diem.

Crafts said the thing he remembers before being placed into captivity somewhere in Vinh Tai Noir along the Gulf of Tonkin was a look at Bob Hope doing a Christmas show.

Crafts spoke of other Maine POWs, Allen Carpenter and Mark Gagne. Crafts said it took him 30 to 35 years before he could talk openly about his experiences.

He encouraged veterans to pick up a copy of “The First Marine Captured,” a biography of Capt. Donald G. Cook. He also was in captivity for three years in South Vietnam and ended his service as a Marine colonel.

The Legion Riders of Post 150 also had T-shirts and sweatshirts made for the Riders. On the back of the shirts are the names of POW/MIAs still in Vietnam and Laos.

Anyone interested in viewing the complete event can log onto www.maineamericanlegion.com/post150nov.htm. Anyone interested in joining the American Legion and Legion Rider program can contact [email protected].