PARIS – The Maine Veterans Home has announced that James Hill, who served in the U.S. Army, has been chosen Veteran of the Month. Hill is in the residential care unit.

He was born in Fryeburg in 1933 and lived most of his life there, graduating from Fryeburg Academy. Hill entered the Army in 1954 and was stationed in Newton, Mass., where he served as a driver to a colonel. He was involved in the Army Reserves following his discharge, and, during one of his reserve assignments, drove that same colonel. Hill also was involved with Army Cargo Transport. He completed his enlistment time and was discharged in 1956.

He married his high school sweetheart, the former Marlene Record, who also grew up in the Fryeburg area, and they were wed for more than 50 years. Upon returning to the Fryeburg area after his discharge from the Army, Hill worked as a farmer and a woodworker.

He was contracted at one time by Yield House, a furniture company that manufactured home furnishings. The couple had a daughter, Debra, who was killed in an automobile accident while in her 30s. Marlene died in 2000.

Hill spent his free time enjoying poker, bowling, hunting, fishing and spending time at his camp in Chatham. During the winter he went snowmobiling, and summer found him on the golf course, earning tournament titles at the Kezar Lake Golf Club.

Hill lived alone in his family farm until he moved to the Maine Veterans Home in 2005. He enjoys watching sports, spending time with the other residents and going on outings that are sponsored by the home.