ROCKLAND — Twenty four new veteran tiles were celebrated yesterday at the Midcoast Area Veterans Memorial’s wall of recognition, in Rockland.

Dave Sulin, of the American Legion, read each name during a dedication ceremony, Sunday afternoon, July 3, 2022, a day within a weekend dedicated to the 246th anniversary of the nation’s independence.

“This is a fitting day to honor the individuals whose plaques we dedicate today in recognition of their service to our country,” he said.

In preparation for the tiles, Sulin and the Memorial committee had the honor of working with some of the newly recognized Veterans, as well as the relatives of others.

“These stories are heart wrenching at times,” said Sulin, who provided brief points of interest regarding some of this year’s Veterans.

The family of the Kirk brothers, of Rockland, only had two little snapshots left. One of the snapshots included a Kirk brother with his sister, who is now over 101 years old. The sister couldn’t get to the ceremony, but it was her desire that her brothers be honored.

Two members of the Kearly Family were on the same U.S. Navy ship 33 years apart. A battlewagon, the Missouri.

One person traveled all the way from Arizona in order to see his tile dedicated.

A Rockland native was killed in action in the Pacific Ocean during World War Two.

Three friends wanted to be on the tile wall together. When Sulin began listing names, he began with theirs.

Neither Wayne E. Cunningham, nor his family had a picture of him in uniform. He still had the uniform, but it no longer fit. So what did he do?

“Wayne took it upon himself to lose 20 pounds in three weeks so that he could get into that uniform,” said Sulin. “We have an outstanding picture of him in uniform today.”

And finally, Bradley J. Dodge, United States Navy.

Dodge’s name wasn’t read aloud during a previous dedication ceremony due to some unknown mix-up.

“Today, we’re honoring him,” said Sulin.

David Franclemont, Chaplain for the American Legion District 6 of the state of Maine, recognized all service members and their families in his closing prayer.

“Let them have comfort and knowledge that they are not forgotten,” he said.

NEW TILES FOR THE MIDCOAST AREA VETERANS MEMORIAL 2022

ROBERT L MATTOON                 UNITED STATES ARMY
GERALD MONROE                      UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
WAYNE KEIDERLING                 UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

CLYDE DRINKWATER                UNITED STATES NAVY

WAYNE E. TIBBETTS                  MAINE NATIONAL GUARD / UNITES STATES ARMY RESERVE / UNITED STATES COAST GUARDS RESERVE

FRANK P. ADAMS                        UNITED STATES ARMY
JOHN A. BLACK                           UNITED STATES NAVY
WAYNE E. CUNNINGHAM         UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
STEVEN J. HODGKINS               UNITED STATES NAVY
DEANE ESANCY                          UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
STEVE LANDERS                        UNITED STATES NAVY

JAMES ALBION KIRK and RICHARD PACKARD KIRK                UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

HAROLD D. CUMMINGS             UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
GEORGE E. McLEOD                    UNITED STATES ARMY
ERNEST H. DUGAN                      UNITED STATES NAVY
EARL D. WITHEE                          UNITED STATES ARMY
E. JAMES THOMPSON                 UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
EDGAR C. MADDOCKS               UNITED STATES ARMY

JAMES A. DOWLING                     UNITED STATES NAVY

BENEDICT J. DOWLING, JR.       UNITED STATES ARMY AIR CORPS
HARTWELL F. DOWLING            UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

KENNETH W. KEARLY, SR.          UNITED STATES NAVY
KENNETH W. KEARLY, JR.          UNITED STATES NAVY

POSSIBLY NOT RECOGNIZED BY NAME AT ORIGINAL DEDICATION:

BRADLEY J. DODGE UNITED STATES NAVY

Midcoast Maine Area Veterans Memorial

During last year’s ceremony, the committee promised that the fountain would be operating in time for this year’s event. The committee signed a contract earlier this year to have a permanent liner installed in the fountain. Last week the committee learned that the liner would not be installed in time for the July 3 event.

The American Legion will be holding a golf tournament fundraiser, September 10, to raise money for its programs.

The Memorial Wall Committee will hold a golf tournament fundraiser September 16, for maintenance of the memorial.

For more information, check out the Facebook page and website dedicated to Midcoast Maine Area Veterans Memorial.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com