My brother served in Vietnam as a Sergeant with the U.S. Marine Corps. He is a Combat Veteran and a Disabled Veteran. He was in Dong Ha, Northern I Corp from April 68 -May 69. He received 10 ribbons and medals for his service and is 100% disabled service connected. He is part of a Maine family who has always stood by the Veterans. My Dad, Orville "Swede" Olsson, was in the Army in World War II as a Sergeant in the Army in the European Theater.

He loved his country and his family! Navy and U.S. Army reserve.

He served on a aircraft carrier.

I will vote in honor of my father Norman Palmer who was a member of the Bangor Victory Platoon and was stationed aboard the USS Wasp. Unfortunately he would never discuss the events of the war with us but growing up I could tell the major impact it made on him. Since his death on Christmas Day 2004 I have found pictures of battles as well as the daily bulletins from aboard the Wasp that have filled in some gaps. My thanks to all veterans for everything they have done and seen. Dad was a proud man who felt joining the Navy at 17 was the right thing to do.

We lost you this year Daddy, but I want to honor your service in the forgotten war, The Korean Conflict. You were there when I was born and it must have been hard to leave a new bride and come home to Mom and a baby. You talked often of those years, especially toward the end and I always wanted to hear about your time there. I know you were proud when Jimmy joined the Army, following in your steps. I don't know if you understood Perry was going to Iraq, but he is there and he often speaks of you. I miss you Daddy and I was, am, and always will be proud of your service in the USA!

Dad's birthday is in May, we always think of him at this time of year. Memorial Day was a special time to gather his family together for a Lebanese cookout. He's been gone now some 8 years and we miss him each and every day. We grew up looking at his trunk full of WWII memorabilia and fondly recall his colorful stories, about his war experience in Europe. He always tried to find humor and be positive about his time fighting for our freedom.

I want to thank him for fighting for our country unselfishly for so many years to keep us all safe. I truly respect him and all soldiers and veterans for everything they have done and are still doing for us. No one knows the strength and sorrows these men and women have to endure everyday!

I Love you Papa... Thanks for everything you sacrificed.. We will remember you Always...

Monroe Quint was my second cousin, separated by four generations. He enlisted in the 17th Maine when the regiment was raised in the summer of 1862. He got his baptism of fire at the Battle of Fredericksburg, fought at Chancellorsville, and fought in the Wheatfield at Gettysburg. On July 3rd, during the Confederate artillery bombardment before Pickett's Charge, Monroe was killed by an artillery explosion. He was 19 years old.

I am very proud of my husband. He served 2 tours in Vietnam and only came back with Post Tramatic Stress Disorder. I can live with that. He is now Commander of the DAV chapter in Lewiston. I'm very proud of him.