Vietnam Veterans Welcomed Home at Northern Maine Regional Airport’s Annual “Take Flight” Open House
By: David Deschesne
Fort Fairfield Journal, September 30, 2015
PRESQUE ISLE—The annual Take Flight open house at Northern Maine Regional Airport was attended by over 1,000 people last weekend.
Feature attractions were a KC-135 air refueling tanker, U.S. Border Protection and Maine Forest Service Helicopters, and Presque Isle Fire Department Crash Truck Demonstrations. TV star, Melissa Ordway, who plays Abby Newman on CBS’ The Young and the Restless also made an appearance with her husband, actor/singer/songwriter, Justin Gaston. The two were assisting in raising funds for regional critical care transport services.
The day began with a ribbon cutting for the new General Aviation terminal at the airport, followed by the PenAir 5K on the Runway. At 11:30 a.m. a ceremony honoring the former Loring Air Force Base personnel and civilian workers was held in the shadow of the KC-135 outside the main passenger terminal of the airport.
Keynote speaker for the Loring commemoration was Loring veteran, Ray Hildebrand, who spoke on the legacy of Loring. Lt. Col. Steve Michaud then told about the particular KC-135 that was brought for display.
“We are so pleased that the KC-135 returned to The County,” said Jason Parent, one of the event coordinators. “We really wanted to do this as a tribute to former military personnel and civilians from throughout the area that served at the base over the years. Many County folks fondly recall the days of open houses at Loring Air Force Base, when they’d have the opportunity to get up close to such aircraft.”
The Larry Hall band, from Ashland provided live concert band entertainment as well as the National Anthem and U.S. Air Force anthem.
After the Loring ceremony there was a brief break then a welcome home celebration for the County’s Vietnam veterans. The keynote address was given by recently retired Brigadier General Brent Boyles. Two Vietnam stories were read to the crowd of over 400 people; The Steve Shaw story, highlighted a Vietnam Survivor, and The Donna LaPointe story, highlighting a fallen soldier from Ashland who did not make it home.
“This is a great opportunity for us to come together as a community and say ‘thank you’ to those who served our country. Because of the controversy surrounding U.S. involvement in the war, our returning troops never got the proper welcome home they deserved when they returned from Vietnam,” said Sylvia Getman, TAMC president and CEO. “The Take Flight event brings people from all over the region to the airport – a place where people are ‘welcomed home’ every day. This is the perfect opportunity and setting for us to pay tribute to those who gave so much.”
Joining with TAMC, Northern Maine Regional Airport, Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, City of Presque Isle and County of Aroostook in hosting the Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Ceremony is the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services.
Both ceremonies were produced by Craig Cormier, with assistance from Lori Turner, both from The Aroostook Medical Center. Jason Parent, Take Flight Event Coordinator was the master of ceremonies. Maine Congressional delegation was present, with staff members from the offices of Representative Bruce Poliquin and Senators Susan Collins and Angus King.
The Loring Color Guard also presented the colors for both events.
The Aroostook Medical Center held a health fair at the event and Townsquare Media provided kids games for the children. Around 40 vendors were on hand providing food and crafts.
Over 400 people attended the Welcome Home ceremony for the Vietnam Veterans at the Take Flight event. Earlier in the day a ceremony honoring for Loring Air Force Base Personnel and Civilian Workers also took place. Above: the KC-135 tanker serves as a fitting backdrop for the event. Below: Nose art on the tanker featuring Loring AFB’s former slogan, “The Moose is Loose” (Again) was painted on the tanker just days before it was to be displayed in Presque Isle. all photos/David Deschesne
