Honor Flight makes veterans feel like stars - By Michelle Libby

Jerry Black served in the Navy at the end of World War II and in Korea. Although it was close to 60 years ago, he remembers details like they happened yesterday. “I was a teenager at the end of World War II. In the Navy, I coasted the Mediterranean because communists were trying to take over those countries,” Black said. Travel has always been a part of his life and that of his wife, Mildred. In July he traveled to Washington, D.C. on an Honor Flight Maine trip to see the World War II monument, the Korean Monument and many other sights in the capital city. As an Honor Flight guest of honor, Black and 27 other veterans were given the royal treatment from the sendoff party to the return celebration at the Portland Jetport.

“It was awesome, as the young people would say,” Black said. 

According to the website, “Honor Flight Maine is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s Veterans for all their service and sacrifices. We transport our heroes to Washington, D.C. to tour, experience and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to our most frail veterans – terminally ill veterans of all conflicts and World War II survivors. Korean and Vietnam Veterans are also transported on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis.”

The Honor Flights are supported by donations from organizations and individuals, except World War II veterans who have not attended an Honor Flight trip. 

Black, a member of the local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars organizations, applied last fall for the Honor Flight. He will be 88 years old in October and he wanted to go to Washington, D.C. some place he had never been. While in the Navy, Black held two ranks, one for engineering as a machinist working on the diesel engines on boats and then as a barber on board ship.

“It was like I was just there when I get to talking about it,” he said.

He told a story about an inspection where he cut most of the men’s hair and the officer inspecting the troops commented on it and said what a good job he was doing. During his four years of service, he traveled extensively and made a good name for himself. When he left the Navy, he attended Gorham Teacher’s College. He became an industrial arts teacher. 

Honor Flight Maine gave Black two weeks to get ready, to find an escort and get excited. “They told me to bring my wheelchair…don’t need one. They told me to bring my cane…don’t need one. At 88, I was younger than all of them on the trip,” he said. 

He found the perfect escort in Benjamin Emmons, who was a paratrooper in Afghanistan and a neighbor. Black has known the Emmons family since 1955, when the neighbor boy was Ben’s father. Having Emmons with him was the right choice, he said. “We were the odd couple and had a good time,” Black added. Emmons was one of the last ones on and one of the first ones off to help with wheelchairs and other things for the veterans. 

They were given a motorcycle escort from the airport in Baltimore to Washington, D.C. The procession drove by statues honoring nurses and Seabees. Two of the veterans on the trip were nurses and served for 28 years. They stopped at most of the monuments devoted to soldiers and wars.

When the veterans reached the World War II Memorial, they were lined up in the wheelchairs for a photograph. One of the men counted 228 people taking pictures of the 27 veterans. Black was impressed that they drew such a crowd. 

Meals were provided and everything else was supplied. “Everything was on time. We always had ice water in our hands,” Black recounted. “If it was half full, they would get another cold one for us.”

Black made sure Emmons got an up close view of the Lincoln Memorial, something he had never seen. “It’s made out of three pieces. I went to the workshop of the man who carved this,” Black said.

Black especially wanted to see the Korean Memorial. In high school he had four friends who did everything together, hunting, fishing and camping. One friend joined the Air Force, and the other two were drafted and sent to Korea. One friend was wounded, came home and then went back to Korea again. He was captured, and as a POW died of malnutrition. 

Jerry and Ben at the Korean Monument

“This has bothered me the rest of my life,” Black said. Going to the memorial meant a lot to Black. He spoke of the memorial and how it had movement unlike some of the other monuments.

However, the most exciting and poignant part of the trip for him was helping to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. “They selected me to be leader for the wreath laying. It was fresh from the company that sends wreaths to Washington from Maine. To be honored to do that, if front of everybody and service members. I was really moved,” Black said. The sergeant in charge at the tomb gave commands and Black repeated them to the four men with Black, including Emmons.

“I got weak on my feet. I was really emotional,” he described as he was walking back to the group. “My eyes welled up. You just don’t step up and do those things.” At that moment, he flashed back to all of his friends in high school and college who had been killed. He was doing it for them. 

When Black’s group returned to Maine he was shocked at the number of people who came to the airport to support them. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Masons, family members, ROTC people and more, all appeared to cheer for the returning veterans. “It makes the tears run. I took my hat off to show my appreciation. This was different, moving,” he said. 

He was also given a packet of letters from family and friends thanking him for his service. “It’s really emotional,” he said. 

The trip only lasted three days, but the memories will last the rest of his life. 

“It had a connection to me. It was just more than a trip for me. That’s why I want to volunteer for Honor Flight Maine. I’d like to see others go.” 

Another Honor Flight trip is scheduled for September with 48 veterans and their guardians. 

For more information about Honor Flight Maine, visit www.honorflightmaine.org.

Local WWII Veteran gains a special gift - By Michelle Libby

Don Rogers is well known in Windham. The World War II Veteran, who is a regular at parades and Veterans’ events, recently received an eagle head cane from the Maine Woodcarvers Association as a thank you for his service. 

While at breakfast at Danielle’s Diner last month, Don and Norma, his wife, were approached by a woman who noticed Don’s WWII Veteran hat. She thanked him for his service. A few minutes later Herb Blake, who was eating breakfast with the woman, approached Don and offered to make him an eagle head cane. The project would take a few weeks, he told him. 

“Don was pleased. He couldn’t wait to see him again,” said Norma. When they finally met up again, Don was thrilled. 

“It had his name on it. What a wonderful organization to present that,” she added. 

Herb Blake is the project manager for the eagle canes as a part of the Maine Woodcarvers Association, which provides eagle head canes for Maine Veterans with service related disabilities.

“We can’t keep up with demand,” said Blake. 

The personalized canes are made by 6 to 12 of the approximately 100 members of the organization. The canes, which are given at no cost to the veterans, cost about $20 in materials, but each craftsman put in between 20 to 30 hours to carve the eagle head depending on the amount of detail put into the cane, which is priceless. Each one is personalized by the artist. Donations pay for the materials, which include a rubber base, the cane stalk and the template for the eagle head. 

Personalization varies from flags to wood burning a unit number, medal or ribbons as well as the veteran’s name. Blake decoupages items onto the shaft of the cane for the ones he makes. 

When it comes to a WWII veteran, Blake doesn’t ask questions, he usually puts them at the top of the waiting list that sometimes contains 30 to 40 names. “He seemed healthy and active for his age, but still I put his name to the head of the list. It was the first time I’d seen him. He was wearing a vet cap and using a cane,” Blake said. 

Maine Woodcarvers Association makes and gives away close to 100 canes each year statewide.

“Quite a few do them for family or friends. Sometimes it doesn’t’ come through the project for me to take care of,” said Blake. “I do it to recognize the veterans and their service. We’re a non-profit and it’s our way of saying thank you.”  

Blake has seen Don since giving him the cane. The last time he watched Don shake the cane. “You don’t have one of these, do you?”

“It’s very rewarding to recognize someone and have them enjoy it that much,” Blake said. 

Blake works for Bath Iron Works and lives in New Gloucester. Woodworking is his hobby. Anyone who is interested in carving a cane and has carving skills or would like to donate to the program is encouraged to contact Blake. He will provide the materials and directions. Blake’s email is hblake12@maine.rr.com. 

Information about the program can be found at www.mainewoodcarvers.org.

Carol Otley is named Maine VFW Teacher of the Year - By Walter Lunt

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Hundreds of students, staff, parents and guests were gathered at the Manchester School gymnasium last week in celebration of Community Day, the culmination of months of hard work by students who contributed time and effort to projects in their community and around the world.

As one class presented service awards acknowledging the work and bravery of local police/fire officials, the warden service and local veterans, a surprise announcement turned the tables on who was honoring who. Willie Goodman, commander of VFW Post 10643 took the microphone and announced that the school’s own Carol Otley had been chosen to represent the Maine VFW as Teacher of the Year, 2016.

Loud, enthusiastic applause followed. Otley, whose fourth grade class had just recognized Goodman and fellow veteran Col. Bob Akins, was picked by a VFW state board after reviewing teacher semi-finalists from 10 other districts in Maine.

“Mrs. Otley (demonstrates) outstanding leadership and tireless effort in teaching and fostering citizenship and patriotism in our community,” wrote Manchester principal Danielle Donnini in her letter of nomination.

Commander Goodman had glowing remarks about Otley’s selection.

Her class consistently engages in “amazing moments of patriotism,” he said, such as having “veterans speaking to her classes about their experiences (one played Amazing Grace to the class for Veterans Day), visits to the state capital, and on this Community Day, class donations of birdhouses to raise money for veterans’ nursing homes.

“She continues to nurture a seed that will help our youth grow into productive, law abiding citizens with patriotism, respect and genuine pride for our nation,” said Goodman.

Otley will receive a cash prize and a plaque at a ceremony in June at the VFW state convention in Portland.

“I am humbled and honored. I look up to such great men and women. And I salute them,” said Otley after the Community Day announcement.

 

She will compete for the national VFW title in Kansas City this summer.

Other Community Day observances included cash donations to various non-profit organizations from classes that had conducted fundraising projects. One group built so-called “buddy benches” for use on the playground. Any student feeling lonely or having a tough day is encouraged to use the bench and converse with others who have a sympathetic ear.

High School principal Chris Howell was the keynote speaker for the occasion. Howell congratulated the students on their fundraising and projects and encouraged all to always look for opportunities to help others and to be kind. 

“Always think before you speak,” he advised, and reinforced his remarks with a quote from President Woodrow Wilson: “I’ve never had to apologize for something I didn’t say.”

VAST promotes lifelong health and well-being - By Walter Lunt

A disabled Maine service Veteran, suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)and depression, conversed with his VA counselor who told him, “I’m writing you a prescription for VAST.” Although not a drug and not a remedy that required a pharmaceutical prescription, the counselor was quite serious, and explained to his client that Veterans Adaptive Sports & Training was probably the best treatment for his condition.
 

The VAST program operates at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester and offers free year-round sports and other activities for veterans with physical and visual disabilities, traumatic brain injury and PTSD.

VAST volunteer Homer McLemore of Windham shared the veteran/counselor story at a recent membership meeting of the American Legion Post 148. McLemore was there to support the center’s speaker of the evening, Kristina Sabateanski, founder and director of VAST.

Sabateanski told the gathering that research supports frequent physical activity for the disabled because it reduces stress, depression and secondary medical conditions, while increasing confidence, employment rates and quality of life.

Year-round games include hand and recumbent cycling, wheelchair basketball, floor hockey and tennis, archery and the increasingly popular disc golf. Over the recent winter, Sabateanski said participation also increased for cross country skiing/biathlon utilizing pellet rifles. About 30 paralympians show up at the outdoor center at Pineland every Wednesday from all over southern Maine. Five or six hail from Windham/Raymond; several more arrive by van from Togus VA Hospital in Augusta. The games and goodwill gatherings take place from 9 a.m. to noon.

“Pineland Farms takes care of our overhead,” explained Sabateanski. “They provide the outdoor center and all the equipment.” VAST is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs.

Volunteers, many of whom are veterans themselves, and students help run the program. Students are usually therapeutic recreation majors or taking elective classes like Facilitating Adaptive Outdoor Recreation at the University of Southern Maine.

 

“But it’s not all about us,” said Sabateanski, “the program is veterans helping veterans.”

In addition to physical well-being, the VAST program officials said the sense of camaraderie among fellow veterans plays a critical role in the overall goal to promote life-long good health. Down time between activities and a lunch break afford the participants the chance to network and to share common experiences. Sabateanski and McLemore’s observations suggest this collaborative time is as valuable as the sports play.

 

One spouse, referring to her veteran husband, said VAST brought out a new, more positive side of his personality. “I’ve never seen him act that way.”

 

“I really enjoyed Kristina’s history and passion about her VAST program,” said American Legion post commander Mel Greenier. “I am very happy there is a program such as this to assist our veterans. Her stories of various veterans who were doing something for the first time and taking a moment to feel happiness again was touching. I have had Post members tell me afterwards they want to be more involved and will see if they can volunteer to help Kristina’s program.”

Sabateanski said the program also offers multi-day sports camps. “There’s a transformation after four days (together) – the camaraderie of military people does something to take their minds off their disability.” She added, “That’s why VA counselors recommend the prescription (for VAST).”

Windham veteran Don Rogers said he gets involved regularly “…so I can get out. Otherwise I’d just sit around the house.” Also, he added, in reference to the USM volunteers, “There are pretty girls around, too.”

Sabateanski, herself an Army veteran and two time U.S. Olympic biathlon participant, founded VAST four years ago, inspired by recently injured veterans she encountered at a military sports camp.

“It’s never once felt like work,” she said. Unfortunately, “…they cut themselves off from the community. But here, there’s a new light in their eyes.”

Now in its fourth year, VAST operates 50 Wednesdays a year and includes two to four multi-day camps. A turkey hunt was organized last fall. Fly-fishing and fly-tying and a sailing camp are planned for this spring and summer. Participation is encouraged, regardless of skill level.

VAST has partnered with other community organizations across the country to develop the U.S. Paralympics, or Paralympic sports clubs. Estimates put the number of physically disabled Americans at about 21 million. For more information, visit www.pinelandfarms.org/vast.