During the Labor Day weekend, Sen. Margret Craven of Lewiston and U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud assembled an extraordinary memorial service at Veterans Memorial Park along the banks of the Androscoggin River.

The service was in honor of my uncle, Marine 1st Lt. Straughan Downing Kelsey, who was killed in action serving the United States in Vietnam in 1967. His sacrifice and heroism in battle had never been acknowledged. Sadly, his was an orphaned file and an almost forgotten tale.

That is until Sen. Craven joined with Rep. Michaud to take up the cause and make sure that this ultimate price to pay for freedom was fully recognized.

In addition to Michaud and Craven, Lewiston Mayor Robert Macdonald, the U.S. Marine Honor Guard, and Lewiston representatives from the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Franco-American Veterans joined together to honor their fallen comrade-in-arms.

In a time when many are disappointed by elected officials and the political process, I appreciate Sen. Craven and Congressman Michaud for their tireless efforts to make the honor a reality.

Chris Orestis, Falmouth