Matthew Mank, a representative of Honor Flight Maine, was the keynote speaker at the Tuesday, Nov. 11 Veterans’ Day program held at Nequasset Meetinghouse in Woolwich. Hosted by the Special Events Committee, the program featured live music by The Montsweagers.

Established in 2014, Honor Flight Maine is a non-profit, all volunteer organization. It’s one of 129 chapters making up the national Honor Flight network established to provide military veterans free air transportation and guided group tours of our nation’s military memorials in Washington, D.C.

Mark,who grew up in Appleton and lives in Union, said he’s been active in the Maine chapter since it started. Since 2022, he’s served as chairman and prior to that was the organization’s treasurer for three years.  

“Since we started we’ve taken about 1,500 Maine veterans on Honor Flight trips,” he said. The chaperoned, weekend visits to our nation's capital include visits to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial (aka the Iwo Jima monument), the World War II Memorial and to Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. “We’re here to make this experience memorable and meaningful,” he added.

“Ask yourselves what would America look like without its veterans? Ask what the world might look like? Our men and women who make up our military services deserve to be held in high regard ...," said Mank.

Applications to take part in the program are available on the Honor Flight Maine website. Applicants must be a current Maine resident who served in the U.S. military. Donations to the organization are gratefully accepted. To learn more about Honor Flight Maine, visit www.honorflight.org or call: 207-370-7210.

The Veterans Day program began with an introduction by master of ceremonies Allison Hepler, selectman and District 49 state representative. “Honor Flight Maine is a moving way to honor our veterans,” she said. Woolwich men and women had answered the call to military service as far back as the American Revolution, continued Hepler, who noted two of those Revolutionary soldiers were buried in the cemetery next door to the meetinghouse.

The Montsweagers played a stirring medley of armed service anthems for the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. Their other musical selections included, “My Country ‘Tis of Thee," America the Beautiful” and “The Navy Hymn: Eternal Father, Strong to Save."

In his invocation, Rev. David Ouellette, pastor of North Woolwich Church, said America was grateful for the men and women among us willing to enter our armed services during both times of war and times of peace.

Veteran Bob King of Woolwich led the gathering in a salute to the flag. Greg Doak then asked all of the veterans to stand, introduce themselves and be recognized by the community. The programconcluded with a singing of “God Bless America,” followed by light refreshments.