ROCKLAND — Not only do you not need to be deceased to be on the Memorial Wall in Rockland, you don’t have to be a native of the city either. As the Mid Coast Area Veterans Memorial works toward establishing a second wall for its veterans tiles, committee members are spreading the word: you only need a connection to the area. Be it through past or current residency, work, or relatives who are residents, all are welcome.

The Wall committee recently celebrated a boost to the site’s funds with a $1,500 donation from Four Corner Variety, in Union. The Dec. 26, 2023 check will go toward the perpetual maintenance, according to committee member Larry Bull, himself a veteran of the Coast Guard, and a proud tile feature whose tile was dedicated at the last ceremony, July 9, 2023.

Veterans work hard to keep the grounds behind the American Legion attractive for the annual tile dedication ceremony, as well as the rest of the year, when the public is invited to enjoy the peaceful grounds and view the plethora of male and female faces and stories that make up each war – from the Civil War through the present.

“Not a lot of people in Rockland know about the Memorial,” said Four Corner Variety owner Rich Mazurek. “More should see it.”

Since the last ceremony, six more requests have been submitted for next summer’s installments, made possible in part by the community efforts that initiated the annual golf tournament fundraiser – supported in part by Four Corner – and this year’s Four Corner deer weigh-in. Last year, Midcoast Habitat for Humanity received the funds from that contest. But, though the number of tagged deer brought to Four Corner’s was down this year (300 this year as opposed to 400 last year), Mazurek’s 10 cents per pound charity donation is still worth the weight to the Wall. Mazurek and his wife, Jenn, keep stats on the deer tagged, presenting prizes to the various hunters. This year’s heaviest deer was 220 pounds.

The Mazurek’s, who are the daughter and son-in-law of Memorial Wall committee member Bruce Gamage, say they are honored to support such a beautiful wall.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com