PARIS — Leon Orvis Blake Jr. has been named the Veteran of the Month at the Maine Veterans Home. Blake was born in Franklin, N.H. on Jan. 31, 1930.

In October 1951 he joined the marines, and was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California during the Korean War. He was in a tank division and drove tanks. Blake was also a sharp shooter and a sniper trainer for the men stationed in Buke Falls, Ore. He achieved the rank of private first class.

After leaving the marines he returned home to help his father in the logging business. Leon is the fourth generation of loggers in his family and eventually had his own logging business for many years, Blake & Son Logging. His son James carries on the family tradition today. Blake had numerous jobs throughout the years, including working as a mechanic for Pioneer Plastics, but the love of the outdoors led him back to the life he loved and he was a woodsman until he retired.

In 1954 Blake married his first wife and had three children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He lost his wife and had to raise his children by himself with some help from his mother until he remarried.

In 1966 Leon married Flora and together they raised his three children from his first marriage, in addition to one more child from their marriage. They enjoyed spending time together as a family and have a lot of memories together. They now have seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. They are still married and have a relationship based on love after 46 years together.

Leon loves the outdoors and likes hunting, fishing and camping. He loves family visits and remembering the good times.