History of Service Celebrated

The Veterans Memorial was initially an idea spearheaded by members of the Class of 1965. At their 50th reunion in 2015, this class raised funds to construct a beautiful new entryway sign for campus, one that greets every visitor coming to Bridgton Academy. After completing that project, members of the class were enthused and began talking about what could be next. Momentum was strong, and the class was anxious to continue having an impact here at the Academy. When Tony Chinappi ’65 suggested creating a space at Bridgton designed to honor veterans, members of the Class of ’65 rallied around the idea. Heavily affected by the Vietnam War, they felt it would be an important recognition of classmates and alumni who were affected by this conflict. A few concepts were floated around, but then the pandemic arrived, putting the brakes on any extraneous plans that were not directly related to the immediate needs of Bridgton Academy and its students.

During that time, a member of the Class of 1967 and long-time Academy board member, Tim Armour, heard about the Class of ’65 and their idea of a veterans project. Tim soon connected with Tony Chinappi to discuss. “There were a few meetings at Cracker Barrel,” recalls Tim Armour. “Over some breakfast sandwiches, we realized that we both had a strong interest in figuring out a way that the Academy could visibly honor its history of service, which is extensive. With a school that has been around so long, we have had alumni literally serve in every major historical conflict that our country has seen, and numerous individuals serving in times of peace as well. We felt it was only fitting that Bridgton create a space to honor and recognize these individuals.”

Tony and Tim soon approached Marty Mooney, Head of School, to pitch their project idea. “The concept went through a few iterations,” shared Mooney. “After meeting here on campus, we settled on a location and design for the Veterans Memorial that everyone felt good about, and then fundraising efforts began.”

“There was significant interest in seeing the Veterans Memorial come to fruition from a number of our alumni, parents, and friends of the school,” stated Jessica Priola, Director of Institutional Advancement. “It was a really amazing project to work on. We heard so many powerful stories, some firsthand, some about grandparents or parents who served, some tragic, so many filled with courage and sacrifice. It was humbling to be a part of this.”

The Veterans Memorial was dedicated during Homecoming Weekend in the fall of 2021 after a flurry of construction in the months leading up to the event. “Supply chain issues were certainly a challenge at that time,” Priola shares. “One item that we were anxiously awaiting was the delivery of our new flagpole. We were less than 48 hours out from the dedication event when it finally arrived. A huge thanks goes out to the Academy’s Operations team and our subcontractors who helped to ensure that everything was ready to go prior to our ribbon cutting event.”

The new Veterans Memorial includes a service wall honoring the branches of the United States Military, along with a large surrounding patio designed for guests to stroll through, sit, and reflect. The Veterans Memorial project, which was funded entirely by donor support, showcases commemorative bricks that recognize the service of Bridgton alumni, area community members, family, and friends, all who have given and sacrificed through their service to our country.

The ribbon cutting event included remarks by Head of School, Marty Mooney,

“Everyone enshrined in this monument performed noble deeds through their commitment of selfless service,” shared CW5 Nolan ’80. “This monument tells their stories. ‘All gave some, some gave all.’”

along with volunteers who helped to spearhead the project, including Tim Armour ’67 and CW5 David Nolan ’80, who assisted with many of the technical aspects of this project. Recognition was bestowed on members of the Classes of 1965 and 1967 who were both so instrumental in this undertaking.

CW5 Nolan, a distinguished veteran of the United States Army, offered inspiring remarks to the gathered crowd:

“Everyone enshrined in this monument performed noble deeds through their commitment of selfless service,” shared Nolan. “This monument tells their stories. All gave some, some gave all. 1LT Thomas R. Gorrill, Bridgton Academy Class of 1965, gave his 23-year-old life for his country in Vietnam in 1969. Likewise, 22-year-old Phillip Goodwin, Bridgton Academy Class of 1967, also made the ultimate sacrifice for his country in Vietnam.

More recently, 1LT Alex Wetherbee of the USMC, Bridgton Academy Class of 1996, 27 years old, made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom in Fallujah, Iraq, serving his second tour of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

PFC John O’Sullivan and his unit fought from Normandy to the Ardennes, then to victory over evil Nazi oppressors who threatened freedom in all of its forms throughout the world.

As a young girl, Yeoman Christine Cheetham left her family to become a charter member of the US Navy WAVES where she served in Naval Intelligence in Washington, DC during World War II. The success of the WAVES was a major factor in the realization by the military that women must serve as equals in the Armed Forces of the United States. Yeoman Cheetham is my mother.

My 1980 Bridgton classmate, Admiral Chris Aquillino, is the senior US military officer in the Pacific, commanding the US Pacific Indo Command. 2LT Warren Youker, who led and inspired Bridgton boys for decades as a faculty member, was wounded in the mountains of Europe fighting to liberate the continent. I mention Youk last because I will never forget his sage advice to us that has lasted me a lifetime. ‘Boys stay focused on your task, do not be distracted by the bright lights of Bridgton.’

This list is just a small sample of the stories of the selflessness of the people enshrined here. There are so many more. Men and women from the village of Bridgton have distinguished themselves in selfless service to their community, state, and country from the Revolution to the present day.”

Bridgton Academy would like to express sincere thanks to the many donors whose heartfelt support helped to make this project a reality. While the Veterans Memorial is now open for visitors, some finishing touches are still underway, with the final work slated to be complete by early spring. All are welcome to come and visit this meaningful new addition to campus, located directly adjacent to the Academy’s athletic fields.

If you would like to recognize a veteran in your life as part of the Bridgton Academy Veterans Memorial, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 207-647-3322, ext. 2, or email alumni@ bridgtonacademy.org. BA

(L-R) Martin Mooney, CW5 David Nolan ’80, Tim Armour ’67, Tony Chinappi ’65 Diane Potter (trustee), and Mark Bloom ’67 (trustee)

bridgton academy veterans memorial project team: Martin Mooney Jessica Priola Michelle Cross Patrick Daley ’09 Joe Daley ’77 Tim Armour ’67 & the Class of 1967 Tony Chinappi ’65 & the Class of 1965 CW5 David Nolan ’80 Mark Priola & Green Artisan Landscape

Design Heath Custom Stone Work Muddy River Signs Gallinari Electric

thank you to the veterans memorial project donors who made this project possible: Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Ames Mr. Joseph P. Amico Jr ’65 Mr. William T. Armour ’67 Mrs. Nancy H. Armstrong ’57 Col. David F. Aumuller ’80 Mr. Roger W. Austin ’86 Mr. and Mrs. Tom Austin Dr. James C. Baker ’64 Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund Mr. and Mrs. Brian Barcelou Mr. Jake R. Barcelou ’20 Mr. Justin E. Barcelou ’18 Mr. Gregory A. Beaumier ’96 Mr. William Blais ’65 Mr. Mark S. Blank ’65 Mr. Mark W. Bloom ’67 Mr. Robert F. Bogan ’83 Mr. Steven E. Bonville ’65 Mr. Timothy B. Braun ’67 Mr. Edward L. Brown Jr. ’54 Mr. Matthew A. Burgess ’88 Mr. Aidan J. Burke ’21 Mr. Daniel L. Callihan ’96 Mr. John S. Campbell and Ms. Mary

Baquet Mr. Patrick C. Casten ’05 Mr. Anthony L. Chinappi ’65 Mr. and Mrs. John H. Clement Mr. Sven Cole Mr. Gerrit W. Conover ’05 Mr. Jeff Craw ’65 Mr. Peter L. Cross ’65 Mr. Sean J. Daley ’96 Mr. Thomas J. Daley ’05 Mr. Harold Damelin ’65 Mr. Lawrence DeSantos ’65 Mr. Lucian Di Marco IV ’14 Mr. Vic V. DiGravio III Mr. and Mrs. Lucian DiMarco III Mr. Daniel Donahue ’18 Mr. and Mrs. John B. Donahue ’80 Mr. Jeffery S. Dover ’67 Mr. Michael J. Doyle ’67 Ms. Bonnie Drummond Mr. Travis Dube Mr. James C. Ducey ’69 Mr. Cory M. Durkin ’12 Mrs. Deb Dutton Col. Robert Eldridge ’65 Mr. Damian P. Farley ’03 Mr. Brendan A. FitzPatrick ’11 Mr. Dana R. Fontecchio ’66 Mr. Thomas Gervais ’96 Mr. Benjamin F. Goodrich III ’78 Mr. Timothy P. Graham ’65 Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hamilton Mr. John M. Hanlon ’65 Ms. Binaca Hanson Mr. Jonathan M. Hart ’13 Mr. Linn J. Hazen ’67 Mr. Carlton Hendricks and Mrs. Melisha Bingham-Hendricks Mr. Allan L. Hoffman ’67 Mr. James Hopkins Mr. Paris L. Horne ’07 Mr. Duane P. Johnson ’65 Mr. John T. Killian ’67 Mr. Whit Lesure Dr. Richard E. Lindstrom ’70 Mr. Mark E. Lufkin ’96 Mr. Wayne C. Lynch ’65 Mr. Richard R. Marcella Mr. Cody Marean Mr. and Mrs. William McGaffigan Mr. Milton McKeen Jr. Mr. Ryan D. McNeill ’96 Mr. George R. McNiff Jr. ’67 Mr. and Mrs. Martin J. Mooney Mr. Alexander L. Moschella Jr. ’65 Mr. Christopher S. Moynihan ’96 Mr. Jeremy Muench Mr. James S. Murphy ’65 CW5 and Mrs. David F. Nolan ’80 Mr. and Mrs. John J. O‘Brien Mr. Raymond M. Ouellette ’65 Mr. Paul J. Patten ’65 Mr. Robert A. Phipps ’69 Mrs. Anne Polak Mr. David Potter CDR Joshua D. Powers ’96 Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Jessica Priola Mr. Gerald W. Quigley ’65 Mr. Donald K. Ramia ’65 Mr. James L. Ramsey ’67 Mr. George Reid ’67 Mr. and Mrs. John Reilly Mr. and Mrs. Tim Robinson Sr. Mr. Timothy Robinson Jr. ’21 Mrs. Myrajo Roenick Mr. David Rosen Col. and Mrs. Philip J. Saulnier Ret. ’58 Mr. Gerrit S. Schafrath ’96 Mr. Barry A. Schlosberg ’65 Mr. Andrew G. Searle ’65 Mr. John C. Sheil ’12 Mr. and Mrs. George Simpson Mr. Kevin A. Simpson ’21 Mr. David H. Sinclair Jr. ’70 Mr. John P. Stabile II ’65 Stabile Family Foundation Mr. Rogan Stearns ’65 Mr. Arthur P. Stebbins ’67 Mr. Peter O. Suneson ’72 Mr. Edwin H. Sutcliffe ’59 Mr. Robert L. Teel Jr. ’65 Mr. and Mrs. Brian Tower Mr. Cameron G. Tower ’20 Mrs. Katherine Tucker LCDR Gordan G. Van Hook ’04 Mr. Bruce H. Walbridge ’67 Mr. Thomas Washburn Mr. Brad West Mr. James P. White ’65 Mr. Donald I. Youker ’66