RUMFORD — It was a family affair at the veterans’ luncheon Saturday at American Legion Post 24.
According to Post Commander William Petrie, National Commander Denise Rohan wanted to open all posts to the public on Veterans Day this year.
“She’s the first-ever female national commander, and her motto is ‘family first,’” Petrie said.
Robert Richard of Dixfield and his wife, Louise, go to Post 24 every year on Veterans Day. Richard is a U.S. Air Force veteran. The older he gets, the more patriotic he gets, he said.
The couple attended the Veterans Day ceremony in Mexico before going to the luncheon, and Louise said she could “really feel the emotion.”
Urban Arsenauld of Rumford was a U.S. Marine for 10 years and a member of the National Guard for 12 years. He served in the Korean War, and has been a member of the Legion for 65 years. To him, Veterans Day means a lot, and he wishes the National Guard was recognized a little more.
“We still get deployed; we still have to be away from family, and it’s hard,” Arsenauld said.
Randy Canwell, District 5 commander, said Veterans Day is important because it keeps history alive and is an opportunity for young people to learn about patriotism.
“We’ve got to get Americanism back in schools, at least stand up and know the pledge and know why it is what it is,” Canwell said. “Know why ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ was written and what it means. Until people know the history of something, they can’t understand it.”
On Veterans Day, while attending various events, providing support and helping with functions, Canwell thinks about prisoners of war and those missing in action because of the deep connections veterans have with one another.
“We have people still missing, people we never found,” he said. “That bothers a lot of vets, because we don’t leave people behind. Whether you know them or not, they’re still your comrade. All vets have a bond one way or another, whether you know each other or just met.”
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From left, Tricia Thurston, Jo Gaudet, Linda Petrie, Sue Richard, Rena Nichols, Pam Marcellino and Keith Bickford volunteered at the veterans’ luncheon held Saturday at the American Legion Post 24 in Rumford. (Liz Marquis/Sun Journal)
Jim Theriault of Rumford digs into his spaghetti dinner while Mary Madigan of Rumford looks on at the veterans’ luncheon Saturday at American Legion Post 24 in Rumford. (Liz Marquis/Sun Journal)
From left, U.S. Navy veteran Jason Bartsch and Legion Rider Bruce Ross participate in the veterans’ luncheon Saturday at American Legion Post 24 in Rumford. (Liz Marquis/Sun Journal)
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