Veterans Day 2022

✩ ✩ a day of honor a day of thanks

99-YEAR-OLD VETERAN SHARES HER STORY AS A NAVY NURSE IN MEMOIR

BY ANNE GABBIANELLI

Maine Troop Greeters Offer a Warm Welcome at Bangor International Airport

TheMaine Troop Greeters have a longstanding history with the Bangor International Airport and are known worldwide for their efforts in giving U.S. soldiers a cheerful greeting upon their return home and a proper sendoff as they head out to serve our country. It all began on a winter morning in March of 1991, after a large and spirited group of citizens drove to Bangor International Airport to welcome home plane loads of returning Troops from Operation Desert Storm. That morning, a U.S. Army Airborne Sergeant borrowed a local high school student’s saxophone while his crew was here for a refueling stop. By nightfall, his emotional rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” had been broadcast around the globe, thrusting Bangor, Maine, and the volunteers later known as the Maine Troop Greeters into the limelight.

Day or night, rain or shine, it is the commitment of the Troop Greeters to welcome each Troop that stops at Bangor International Airport. They accomplish this by being here to offer free cell phones to call a loved one, a snack to keep them going, and handshakes to let the men and women of the U.S. military know that Mainers care. The organization was officially incorporated as a registered nonprofit in 2008. The group agreed on this guiding principle: “The mission of the Maine Troop Greeters is to express the Nation’s (and our) gratitude and appreciation to the Troops, for those going overseas for a safe return and for those returning for a joyful homecoming and to make their (hopefully brief) stay in Bangor as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Additionally, we will honor the trust

placed in us by these Troops by preserving and perpetuating the donations entrusted to our care, through display, education, and sharing of these collections.”

Located on the second floor of the Domestic Terminal at Bangor International Airport, The Maine Troop Greeters Museum is open weekdays from 10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. Preserved within the Museum is a large collection of military memorabilia that has been donated by troops as they have come through the Airport. This includes a display of more than 6,200 Challenge Coins, which are cataloged and viewable in an online database. It is believed that this collection of military Challenge Coins is the largest in the world. The Troop Greeters are actively recruiting new members! Joining this meaningful volunteer program is easy. Simply visit the

Troop Greeters Museum on the second level of the Peter R. D’Errico Domestic Terminal at the Airport. There you can access all the necessary information, forms, and contact information for the Membership Committee. Although the duties of a volunteer may vary, the goal is always the same… to thank our Troops for their service and to give them a little piece of Bangor’s finest hospitality to carry with them.

The Maine Troop Greeters is an allvolunteer organization funded through inkind and monetary donations. All donations are used to provide food, amenities, and services for the Troops deploying and returning through Bangor International Airport. For additional information on how to become a Troop Greeter or to make a donation, visit their website: themainetroopgreeters.com.

Lastyear, Helen Barry Siragusa, with the help of her son Jim Siragusa, completed a deeply personal, remarkably detailed and inspiring memoir called “Navy Nurse: Memoir of a World War II Veteran.” The book shares her genuine passion for the fulfilling life she has had as a wife, mother and as a Navy nurse facing moments life and death.

“I’m proud of it. I’m delighted,” said the 99-year-old Winthrop woman when

reflecting on her more than 10 years serving as a nurse in the Navy and in the Reserves. With her knack for storytelling, Helen has chronicled not only her life but her experiences in the Navy.

Two of her children, Jim and Sheila, began audio recordings of their mom around 2000. In 2019, Jim started transcribing the recordings. The first issue of the book was published in September of 2021. “My mom has an incredible memory and she has been telling stories to us all her life,” said Jim.

With her sweet, tender smile, sporting her snow white hair, Helen said, “It was natural for me to go into the Navy. Everybody was in the service. My father was in WWI, both my brothers served, so as soon as I finished nursing school, I applied for the Navy.” The women in the Barry family were all nurses as well.

In January of 1945, Helen began a career giving her a front row seat to the tragedies of WWII. She mainly worked in a hospital’s quadriplegic and paraplegic ward known as the ‘dreaded’ B-11. “I was petrified to go there because the nurses would say how hard it was, how difficult the patients were, how some of them were so depressed, and I’d say to myself, ‘Please don’t let me have to go there,’” she said. It was on the B-11 ward that Helen found her niche, though. “Within a very short time, I got assigned there regularly every day and I loved it. I absolutely loved it. It was just my place,” said Helen. “God sent me there more for myself, I’m sure, than for the patients. They inspired me so much that it has stayed with me to this day,” which is reflected in her book complemented by compelling pictures.

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(Top) The B-11 ward where Helen Barry Siragusa was assigned. (Left) Gus Siragusa, a flight surgeon, visiting Helen at Cherry Point when he worked downstairs. (Above) Helen Barry Siragusa in uniform. COURTESY OF JIM SIRAGUSA.

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After meeting Gus Siragusa, who was a flight surgeon, the couple married a year later and had eight children. “By the time I was pregnant with my third child, I got a letter saying if you have a dependent under the age of 25, you must resign your commission.” Gus’ parents had a home in Winthrop, and in 1970 the couple built their own summer home next door, later settling there permanently.

Daughter Patricia Engdahl accompanied her mom to the Wreaths Across America’s Remembrance Tree Program last year, where dog tags were placed on fir trees in Jonesboro. The trees produced greens for wreaths laid at Arlington National Cemetery.

“To say that Mom was ‘in her element’ is an understatement,” Engdahl said. “She met other women veterans, and she delighted in seeing much younger women who had served (or still serve) in the Navy Nurse Corps. In addition to hanging a dog tag for Mom, we submitted one for Mom’s fiancé, George, [he and Helen were engaged for four months while both serving] who died while in the Navy and is buried at Arlington.”

Holding tight to her memories and proud of her years, Helen said with a smile, “I have had such an interesting life.”

To purchase Helen’s book, “Navy Nurse: Memoir of a World War II Veteran,” log onto amazon.com. A special edition hardcover with a dust jacket is available at lulu.com.

Siragusa at Wreaths Across America’s Remembrance Tree Program last year, where dog tags were placed on fir trees in Jonesboro. COURTESY OF WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA

Cassandra and Morgan

call And overseas you flew To defend our country During World War II In the Army Air Forces You served as navigator We are so very proud Of our heroic aviator!

Love, Susan, Rick, Susan, Sandi, Steve, Cathy, Don, Mike, Sarah, and Families

In Loving Memory Of MSgt. RYAN LOVE March 7, 1978 - July 19, 2012

SAVAGE BOOMER

In Honor Of SCOTT W. IRISH

In Honor Of My Grandson 2LT STOWE DUSTON

They say that times a healer, but as the time goes on, we seem to find it just as hard to face the fact you've gone. You'll never be forgotten and every day we shed a tear, but it's only because we love you and wish you were still here.

From your Maine family Rhonda & Bert, Dennis & Regina, Raye & Luther, Rachael & Dan

Congratulations to Staff Sergeant Savage Bloomer recently graduated from the Aviation Science program at the University of Maine at Augusta, now a certified commercial pilot and instructor. His future plans include training to fly the KC 135 tanker. Good luck!

We thank you for dedicating 22 years of your life to the USAF in service of our country. You make us feel proud & safe EVERY DAY.

Love, April, Hannah and all of your family & friends

Recently returned from deployment in Poland and now assigned to the 1st Infantry Division Fort Riley, Kansas. Love Grampy, Peter Duston, USA-retired

Red Roses, White Snapdragons, and Blue Iries: A Veteran’s Life As A Flower Farmer

“Thankyou for your service” is an expression that many say on Veterans Day to signal their gratitude and respect for those who have served our country. Christine Cannon, who served in the Navy from 2010 to 2014, is not sure how to respond when people thank her. When asked how her time in the Navy prepared her for owning and operating Wild Rose Flower Farm in DoverFoxcroft, she shared that a lot of veterans know how to

power through and stick with a plan, even when they are tired and sweat is dripping down their forehead. Cannon entered the Navy in her mid 20s after five years in college and working behind an office desk. She wanted a totally different experience and more physically demanding work. Her focus was small craft threats, rapid response and anti-terriosm training. While on leave before deployment, she visited a lavender farm in Washington

BY MARISSA DONOVAN

state and knew at that moment she wanted a flower farm of her own someday.

Picking Maine to put down flower roots was a process of elimination for the Texas native. Cannon wanted a place without deadly snakes, low risk for natural disasters and an area with low population density.

“I was looking for the garden of Eden, and that’s what I found in Maine,” she said. Once she moved to Maine, she

Thank you

took a master gardening class and went down a rabbithole of YouTube gardening videos.

Then, in the summer of 2019, she was diagnosed with a neuromuscular autoimmune disease, which drastically challenged her goals for her garden. It took hold of her body by impairing her vision, making it difficult to hear and swallow and overall making her feel paralyzed. It did not seem fathomable to Cannon at the time that the following year, in spring 2020, she would be on a treatment plan that would allow her to hit the ground running for setting up flower beds and having flower seeds in bulk.

This was just the beginning of Wild Rose Flower Farm, which is now a resource for Maine florists and a Christmas tree company which incorporates dried flowers into their wreaths.

Cannon has also taken special orders for weddings, birthdays and people who adore her custom arrangements.

Cannon likes integrating foliage you might overlook or not expect into an arrangement, such as berries, cattails and pussy willows. Some of her top requests for flowers include snapdragons, dahlias and

her hybrid roses. Her hope is to one day patent one of the many variations of roses she grows.

Next year Cannon says the plan is to expand her business by having an online storefront for crafters to use her dried flowers and adapt to changes to meet the large demand for Maine flowers from retailers and florists. She also hopes to have the ability to experiment with growing different flowers and plants.

Cannon acknowledges that in order to keep being a successful farmer, she needs to pace herself without getting burnt out.

Cannon is currently doing everything by herself, including the farm’s Instagram page — @wildrose_flowerfarm — where you will see the flowers that she has spent all season cultivating.

Cannon’s endurance and ambition comes from her independence and current physical wellness to be able to do laborious tasks, which may resonate with hard-working veterans who have prevailed across our country and the Pine Tree state.

When it comes to Veterans Day, to Christine, it’s about being mindful about the veterans you know within your community, knowing the resources that are accessible to them and actually taking the time to check in with them to assure they are seen, that they matter and that they are loved. She also said it’s important to acknowledge the sensitivity that comes with honoring the day, and knowing the weight of possibly reliving traumatic memories. Many struggle with PTSD, and Veterans Day may be triggering for some. This year, follow Christine’s advice, and cultivate compassion and space for those who served.

To all veterans, We honor all current and former members of the Armed Services. Our country’s greatness is built on the foundation of your courage and sacrifice. Thank you for your bravery and the example you set for us all.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRISTINE CANNON

MAINE VETERANS PROJECT COMBATING SUICIDE

BY ANNE GABBIANELLI

Who would have ever imagined an organized ATV ride to raise some money to help an ill veteran could have turned into an organization that helps countless veterans across Maine today. That is the story of the Maine Veterans Project (MVP) which boasts respect, teamwork and sincerity in suicide prevention services offered to veterans.

In 2014, Shawn “Doc” Goodwin, president of MVP, was reading about Army Major Justin Fitch who was suffering from stage 4 colon cancer and had attempted suicide while on his first deployment. “In his journey, he was also fighting the suicide epedemic for his brothers and sisters,” said Goodwin. That’s when the idea came about to raise funds with an ATV ride to not only help Fitch, but also to help fight suicide.

“We expected a handful of people to pull together and raise a few hundred dollars. The result far exceeded expectations. In 28 days from conception to execution, the small community managed to bring out 330 riders on over 200 machines to raise over $4,200,” said Goodwin.

The success of the ride led Goodwin to go further than just one outdoor activity. He left his job as Director of Health and Safety at University of California in San Francisco, moved back to his home state and officially opened the Bangor office of MVP in 2015. “Justin, who passed away in 2020, was the inspiration behind MVP.”

“One of the things that happens when we leave the most important job we have done in our lives is we experience a huge loss of one’s self worth and this leads to depression,” said Goodwin. “I have first-hand experience of such a loss. I went from the tip of the spear to the toe of a totem pole in just one day. Starting over again is a challenge.”

It’s this transition stage and coping with stress that has driven a higher population of the military to

experience suicidal ideation. Add to this is the terror of launching a new career or seeking a well-paying job — and you get a trifecta which is the reason why organizations like MVP are so valuable.

“The first step is sincerity in effort; there is no one blanket answer why each person is sad. MVP serves a population without selfish intent,” Goodwin said. “MVP is not a business but it is about our veterans and that’s why there is teamwork, a reality check with each problem and a holistic approach.”

MVP offers programs to assist veterans with life-essential needs through strategic partnerships, sponsorships and generous donations. Other programs include vehicle donations, heating assistance and recreation.

“Recreation is trying to reignite camaraderie and combat the depression. Once the state got the green light to engage in outdoor activities after Covid, we began the program. The ironic part is that was the exact direction we wanted to go from day one, but we got involved in home improvement which to date is our biggest program ever,” said Goodwin.

He recalled a story of a wheelchair-bound veteran named Greg who was just slumped in his chair and terribly depressed. With some coaxing, Greg took part in outdoor fishing and managed to snag the biggest catch of the day. Goodwin reflected how that changed Greg’s mindset. “These activities make your soul feel good and that is the specific reason that a veteran is here. We see a change in how veterans are feeling by 500,000 percent,” Goodwin said. “Recreation events include family so they can see how the experience has created a bright spot for their loved one.”

Learn more about the Maine Veterans Project at maineveteransproject.org, on Facebook at facebook. com/MVPforME or by calling (207) 262-6061.

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Tiny Steps to Major Change Ambitious Girl Scout project to help homeless veterans get back on their feet

When19-year-old Kasey Jordan of Lamoine saw a news report about the continuing rise of homeless female veterans, it struck a chord. There was a long history of military service in her family and in her community. “There was something that needed to be done,” she said.

Still in high school at the time, Jordan decided she’d be the someone to do something about it. She came up with an idea that would do double duty: help female homeless veterans and be her Girl Scouts Gold Award project. Her idea? To get a 10-acre piece of land and build a community center and eight homes on it for female homeless veterans.

The Girl Scouts’ Gold Award is the highest achievement the organization

offers, and while projects for this award are ambitious, they are usually not as large-scale as Jordan’s. The Girl Scouts’ Gold Award advisors recommended she instead do an education project on the topic of homelessness for female veterans, but the efforts to educate the general public about this alarming trend and hopefully spur people to help these women who served the country were obviously not working. She didn’t see the point in just putting more education out there. Jordan stuck to her building vision but scaled it down to a single home that could serve as transitional housing for veterans and their families as they get on their feet and find long-term housing.

BY STEPHANIE BOUCHARD

With the smaller proposal, the Girl Scouts gave her the green light and she was off to the races. But then Covid happened and everything came to a screaming halt. “All of her money-earning events that she had scheduled to raise quite a bit of money were canceled because of Covid,” said Lori Jordan, Kasey’s mother. And then costs for construction materials skyrocketed, increasing how much the project would cost. It was a tough and frustrating situation, but Jordan kept at it, sewing and selling face masks, making and selling pies, and setting up a collection trailer for bottle donations.

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Kasey Jordan with Dale Basher of Downeast Community Partners, at a planning meeting.

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But with more than two years dedicated to the project and being pulled in multiple directions with school work and personal interests, the pressures and disappointments of trying to get this project done were getting to her.

Last summer, as she faced starting her first year of college at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, she hit a wall. “I can tell you what her thoughts were,” Lori Jordan said, “’I’m done. I can’t do this anymore.’”

But she wasn’t done. She got a deadline extension from the Girl Scouts and new partners arrived on the scene, including Downeast Community Partners, a community action organization serving Hancock and Washington counties. DCP donated land the organization has in the town of Hancock and plans to oversee who will be living in the 24by-24 home. Several local contractors are also on board to donate their time and equipment, including Gene

Lyons, who will put in the slab; Eben Richardson, who will be doing the plumbing; Arthur Ashmore, who will be doing the electric; and Kelley and Sons, who will be doing excavation work.

As of early fall, Jordan had raised $31,000 — enough to cover the groundwork and the house, but the cost of materials still needs to be covered. Some of the groundwork has been done to get the building site ready, but progress has been slow, partly due to staff and volunteer shortages, explained Dale Basher, DCP’s director of housing services.

Still, the Jordans are hopeful that the shell of the house will be erected before winter and that everything will be completed in the spring. “You know,” said Kasey’s mom, “with miraculous people, things can get done.”

To learn more about Kasey Jordan’s project, visit her Tiny Steps Facebook page.

Site work begins on Kasey Jordan’s ambitious Girl Scout project.