“Soldiers are citizens who chose to wear the uniform of service and
sacrifice,“ Auburn Mayor John Jenkins told the crowd. They had the same everyday
obligations and concerns as all people, he said, but “they chose to do that bit
more.”

He added, “Thank you for standing here today for those who stood for us.”

Paul Bernard, chairman of the L&A Veterans Council, said the engraved
names of L-A area servicemen and women now totals 3,887 on the circle of 18
large stones.

Disabled American Veterans State Commander Terry Leavitt of Millinocket and
Past Commander Jerry DeWitt unveiled the newest stone which bears the DAV logo
and 216 names.

The stone was covered with brown wrapping paper, and Bernard explained that
it was necessary because a custom-made cover placed over it on Tuesday was
apparently stolen during the night.

Bernard said he searched the riverbank near the park around 6:30 a.m.
Wednesday as soon as he noticed it was missing The green vinyl cover has large
lettering spelling “L&A Veterans Council.”

Bernard introduced Joseph and Louise Masse, who have volunteered to maintain
the database of names on the stones.

Mayor Jenkins and past L&A Veterans Council Chairman Bert Dutil unveiled
a granite memorial bench in honor of Robert E. Buchanan, a World War II veteran
who served in the Army Air Corps as a navigator in the 500th Bomb
Squadron known as the Rough Riders. Buchanan served in the Southwest Pacific
Theater. After the war, he continued his military service in the U.S. Air Force
Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1968 following 26 years of service.

Bernard said anyone wishing to have a veteran’s name placed on a future stone
can request an application from him by calling 225-3285.