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CHESTERVILLE – Ralph S. Brewer decided to make a difference by honoring veterans from the community who served during World War I and II.
At the intersection of Zion’s Hill and Borough roads, there is a war monument in memory of these individuals. Several months ago, Brewer of Chesterville, noticed that the flag flying over the monument was worn and tattered, so he replaced it with a new, larger flag.
For Memorial Day, he had a floral arrangement delivered to the site. Now, with the approval of the Chesterville selectmen, Brewer has personally arranged for the cleaning of the monument which had become stained with moldy growth over the years. The project required a careful assessment and review of various cleaning options by monument expert, John Sheehee, of Collette Monuments in Lewiston.
Once a cleaning plan was developed, Sheehee and his assistant, Ammon Smith, spent an entire day cleaning the granite, the brass name plates and the eagle at the top of the monument. Mr. Brewer and others who drove by the intersection that day were able to watch the progress being made as the moldy areas on the monument returned to light gray, illegible names on the brass plates became easily readable and the blackened eagle regained its golden luster.
“This was a big undertaking, but these veterans should not be forgotten,” said Brewer. “Doing simple things like putting up a new flag, displaying fresh flowers and keeping the monument clean help assure that these individuals from our community are never forgotten. That’s the least we can do, given the sacrifices veterans have made for our country.”
Brewer is hesitant to take credit for bringing the monument back to its original state, but hopes his efforts may motivate others to seek ways to honor veterans and undertake other projects in their communities.
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would like to clean some headstones- can this gentleman share with what he used to clean the monument?
BRAVO!!
Mr. Brewer…. You are to be commended for your time and efforts……you certainly did make a difference!!
YOU ARE A TRUE PATRIOT!
Thankyou Sir for this undertaking. Let’s hope that this monument is never allowed to look so bad again. Located directly across the road from the Town Garage yet the town did nothing to prevent it from getting that bad. I guess the town’s elected officials never noticed it until it was brought to their attention.
Great Job. It’s nice to know that people remember the ones who paid the price for what we enjoy today.
Moth, thank you for taking the time to attach a note. I appreciate your words.
Jane, my advice is to contact the experts, they clean scores of stones a year and can recommend a course of action best suited for your needs. This memorial was cleaned by sandblasting the decades of growth and hand sanding the bronze placard. Good luck in your venture.
Thank you so much Ralph for your most valuable contribution which is truly appreciated.
Please accept this as a message of my deep gratitude for your thought, care and contribution to our community by taking a project and running with it, never stopping until it was completed.
BRAVO!!!!!! This Chesterville resident feels very lucky to have you be part of our community
Mr Brewer,
Thanks for your efforts! Let us see if more Towns follow your lead.
A Vet
Hooray!!!!! Awesome job!!!!