An uncle and nephew share a heart-felt trip to Washington on Honor Flight Maine by Michelle Libby

Ed Quinlan (L) and his nephew James Mannette

Ed Quinlan, 82, has the military woven into the fabric of his being. His father was in World War I, his three brothers served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam respectfully, and Quinlan served in the Army in Germany after the war. He recently took a trip to Washington D.C. on the Honor Flight Maine, where veterans are given a once in a life time chance to experience their memorials.

“It was a wonderful and emotional trip,” Quinlan said. He was able to visit each memorial that symbolized the service his father and brothers gave to the United States, as well as his own memorial. “We went to all the memorials. Each one represented a brother to me.”

Quinlan served as a private first class for two years in the Army. He was drafted and spent 16 months of his two years in Germany. His unit was one of the last to travel overseas by ship. It took 11 days to sail across the ocean and 13 days to return, he said. He marveled at the whales swimming alongside the ship during that trip.

Quinlan grew up in South Windham and was a 1954 graduate of Windham High School. He worked for S.D. Warren Paper Company for 34 years.

Quinlan was nominated to go on the Honor Flight by his niece Anita Quinlan. Last year, Anita’s son was a member of the ROTC group at Windham High School. They went to a homecoming at the Jetport and she decided to look into the program for her uncle. She didn’t expect anything to come of it, but a few weeks before the flight they were told Ed was cleared to go.

Each veteran traveled with a companion and for Quinlan it was his nephew James Mannette, who will soon be entering the United States Air Force Academy in June.

“My heart is full and glowing after spending the weekend in Washington D.C. I was very fortunate to escort my great uncle, a US Army Korean War Veteran, alongside many other WWII Veterans to see their memorials with Honor Flight Maine,” said Mannette.

He was most impressed with the stories the veterans told. One man was an Army Colonel who had served in many wars. He had a Purple Heart and three Silver Stars. “He was the first to come up to me and thank me for my service, which was amazing coming from him,” Mannette said.

This was the first Honor Flight of 2018, which transported 48 veterans, 48 guardians and three or four volunteers to Washington DC.

Quinlan’s favorite part of the trip was Arlington National Cemetery. “I could not believe or imagine all the headstones. Four hundred thousand headstones,” he said. He enjoyed seeing the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown. “It was a once in a lifetime trip.”

Quinlan had been to Washington D.C. with his wife before she passed away, but this trip had its own merits as the volunteers made sure they always had water or a snack in their hands. Each veteran was also given a disposable camera to record their memories.

“It was first class,” Quinlan said.

They saw the Women’s Memorial, Navy Memorial, Air Force Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and Fort Meade, were some of the highlights, said Mannette.

When the flight arrived back at the Portland International Jetport, the veterans were greeted by hundreds of people waving flags and clapping for them. For many it was the first time they returned and were celebrated. Honor Flight Maine held mail call for all of the veterans who received a pack of letters from family and friends.

Quinlan received letters from Susan Collins, Angus King, his son in California, his son in Gorham and from students in his niece Anita’s class, thanking him for his service. Representative Bruce Poliquin was there to greet the returning troops.

“The stories these veterans have are extremely powerful, and their patriotism is far from subtle. Full of laughter and smiles, these brave souls never cease to show love and pride for the country they fought for. These veterans changed the world, and their contributions will be forever honored,” Mannette said.

Honor Flight Maine is a non-profit organization solely to honor America’s Veterans. Priority is given to terminally ill and frail Veterans. It costs $17,500 to send one Veteran on the Honor Flight Tour and the trip is funded completely through sponsorships and donations.

For more information, visit www.honorflightmaine.org.

“We can’t all be heroes. Some of us get to stand on the curb and clap as they go by.” - Will Rogers

Local Girl Scouts provide a taste of Maine in Afghanistan by Jennifer Davis

The Daisy Troop

Girl Scouts Troop 695 brought smiles to the faces of a few members who are serving in our U.S. Army, stationed in Afghanistan this past month, when the service men and women received two giant boxes full of Girl Scout cookies. 

During the Girl Scout Cookie Campaign, Troop 695 collected boxes of donated cookies to be sent to the soldiers serving our country. 

“The idea was started when one of the girl’s neighbors asked if there was a way to donate cookies to soldiers,” said Nicole Buzzell, Troop Leader for Troop 695. “The mom asked us on our private Facebook page and another mom commented that she was also interested because she has a cousin in Afghanistan now.” 

This interest and idea soon became reality as the girls began collecting their donated boxes of cookies. “Through all of the trainings we’ve taken over the past five years, we understand the importance of the troop being Girl led,” Buzzell said. “This was a great chance to make that happen.”

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Libby

Cookies were not the only donation made. In fact, a donation of $80 was made to be used toward the shipping costs totaling $120, making shipping the cookies much more affordable. The boxes were shipped to Troop 695 member, Paisley’s cousin, Chief Warrant Officer 3 TJ Libby, who is currently serving in Afghanistan.

The cookies arrived in Afghanistan safely and were received by those serving the U.S. The girls were very surprised when they received a video message from Chief Warrant Officer 3 Libby, directly thanking them for their gift. He explained how much these cookies were enjoyed by all of the people currently stationed with him and how the timing was perfect. 

Libby, who works closely with an orphanage in Afghanistan, explained that not only were the girls making some service men and women very happy, but also would be making some children very happy.  “You guys did a lot to help out the kids of Afghanistan,” said Libby in his video to Troop 695. 

Libby planned to keep one box of cookies for his troop and donate the other to the orphanage.  Libby went on to explain that these Girl Scout cookies would be the first ones that some of the children at the orphanage had ever experienced.

When Chief Warrant Officer 3 Libby opened the box full of cookies he found letters that had been included from all of the Girl Scouts in Troop 695. “These cards are my favorite part of this whole package,” said Libby. “You guys rock. You brightened up my day, week, month!  Thank you so much!  Keep doing what you’re doing.”

The video from Chief Warrant Officer 3 Libby was unexpected and made the girls’ day. “It made me really happy,” said Paisley, 6 years old. 

“He’s so far away from us, keeping our country safe, I wanted the cookies to make him happy.” Paisley and the rest of the girls in Troop 695 will be earning a fun patch to wear on their vests recognizing their efforts. 

What started as an idea and a simple question gave soldiers serving our country the taste of home and, at the same time, providing a little something special to those who could also use a surprise of sweetness. One kind act is all that is needed to make the world a better place.

Successful Color Dash Run supports local educational programs by Jennifer Davis

Saturday morning, April 28, the community gathered for the Windham Primary School’s (WPS) third annual Color Dash. This year’s race welcomed 180 people, where families met and mingled with neighbors and teachers as they anxiously awaited the countdown to the start of the race.  
 

This year’s race wrapped around the school, through the woods, then meeting back on the WPS playground where participants ended their run by grabbing their packet of color – where about ten minutes later the air was filled with a rainbow of colors.

“Funds are being used to support teacher grants,” stated Michelle Jordan, Windham Primary School’s Volunteer Coordinator.  “This is a new initiative starting this year where teachers can request funds to support programs that help enhance student learning.”  By the turnout that crowded the WPS playground area, it was sure to be a successful event.

Jordan is part of the Principal Advisory Committee that organizes school wide fundraisers and events throughout the year. These events include: Smencils and Smens, scented pencils and pens that help support the technology in the classrooms and Scholastic Book Fairs fundraiser that supports the school library. Historically, a basket raffle along with the Color Dash have raised money for the playground, a new vision screening machine, smartboards, books and field trip scholarships.  

“Thank you to our volunteer coordinator, Michelle Jordan, and the staff and parents that helped make this a fun school community event,” stated Dr. Kyle Rhoads, WPS Principal.  “We are very fortunate to have such a supportive school and local community!”

If you are interested in donating to any of the school programs, donations can be sent directly the

Primary School. To ensure that your donation supports the program that you want, include a note specifying your donation request along with your donation.

Talented woodworker shares his passion to help and inspire others by Lorraine Glowczak

Bob Berry made this ukulele for his daughter

Bob Berry, grounds-keeper, maintenance employee and woodshop teacher at Windham Christian Academy has a passion for woodworking and craftsmanship. He shares this innate skill with not only the students at the academy but with others who are fond of creating music.
 

Recently, to help the music program at his alma mater – the Lakes Region Middle School, Berry donated five ukuleles so music students could pursue their dream of starting a ukulele band. Berry made each of the musical instruments by hand. 

“My childhood friend is now a health teacher at Lakes Region High,” explained Berry. “He knew that I was making ukuleles with the students at the Academy, so he approached me about a way to make the instruments for the students at Lakes Region.” 

Realizing that arts programs in almost all schools lack funding, Berry wanted to support the students in the only way he knew how. “I gave them away,” he said. His friend paid for the parts that Berry has to order to make the instrument complete - such as the frets, strings and bridges. But Berry’s time, energy and

craftsmanship, as well as the purchase of the wood, was his donation.

Berry’s road to workshop teacher at a Christian school was a long, arduous one. Being a student who fell through the cracks of the educational system in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Berry never learned how to read or write. School was difficult for him. The one class Berry excelled in was his high school woodworking class.

A sample of his craftsmanship

“I saw my woodworking teacher’s passion,” reflected Berry, “and somehow I caught that same enthusiasm.”

Due to the educational challenges Berry faced, he quit high school and went on to work in the fields of construction and cabinetry; perfecting his technique and craft in woodworking for the next 15 to 20 years. His life was filled with disappointment, hardships, drugs and alcohol. During an especially low point in his life, he and his current wife were invited to Windham Assembly of God. It was there he changed his life for the better.

“The instant I decided to walk with Jesus, I knew I had to learn how to read and write,” Berry said. “I didn’t know that was going to be a part of the deal,” he joked.

He participated in his local Adult Education Program. “When one Adult Ed Teacher interviewed me as part of the program introduction, I showed her photos of many of my woodworking and cabinetry work[s], when she asked about what I had done with my life thus far,” Berry began. “She took a look at all the photos and said to me, ‘You are lying. Anyone who cannot read and write could not be able to build and produce something as professional as this.’” 

Bob Berry (second from left) in front of the tree at Thrive Coffee House

After two years in adult education, he received his diploma. “I learned how to write by writing journals with two of my teachers – including the one who initially didn’t believe my woodworking skills,” Berry said. “I also began reading the Bible as well as other books. I have read the Bible in its entirety every year for the past 26 years. This one thing has changed my life unbelievably.”

Once his life began turning around, Berry started working in the grounds-keeping and maintenance departments at the academy. He had heard that a few students at the academy wanted to build a boat as part as the senior project; so he gathered his woodworking tools and found the wood necessary to teach them how to build their boat. One of these boats was entered in the Portland Boat Show and caught the attention of a Rhode Island entrepreneur who owns the Pirate Cove Marina in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

The owner of the marina had always wanted to own a coffee shop and had envisioned putting a tree inside the shop. She admired Berry’s craftsmanship on the boat displayed. “She approached me about making a tree to put in her coffee shop,” Berry said, befuddled. “So, I got a few of the students to work with me on it as part of their senior project and we built a tree. It is now in the Thrive Coffee House in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.”

And, thus, Berry’s career as a woodshop teacher began and he has been teaching the students for the past 10 years. However, the big projects of boats and trees were getting a bit overwhelming. About a year ago, he saw a student with a ukulele and thought that might be a much easier project to pursue. “I looked online to see how to make the instrument,” Berry said. “And we have been making ukuleles ever since.”

Word has gotten out about Berry’s talent for creating the popular and beautiful sounding ukulele and he is asked often to create and make special instruments for many within the Greater Windham Community. 

He has no plans of becoming an instrument-making entrepreneur, but if you have questions or would like to talk with Berry about his passion for woodworking, he is happy to do so. Feel free to contact him at fearnot58@icloud.com.