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Gerald C. Webber, an Air Force staff sergeant who fought and was wounded in the Vietnam war, received the Purple Heart Saturday evening. Webber (left) is pictured with General William Libby, commander of the Maine National Guard (center) and Rep. Thomas Saviello, (right) who is holding the medal.FARMINGTON – Forty-one years after being injured in the line of duty, a New Vineyard man received his Purple Heart Saturday, at a ceremony recognizing the efforts of Maine veterans.
Gerald Webber of New Vineyard, was given the medal by Maine National Guard Commander General William Libby and Rep. Thomas Saviello. As part of the event, held at Farmington Baptist Church, 112 veterans from conflicts fought across the globe and half of a century were recognized with certificates and medals, in some cases.
Certificates commemorating the military service of veterans are part of a state-sponsored “Honoring a Veteran” program. Gold Star, Silver Star, Bronze Star and Honorable Certificates are awarded to veterans and their families. Awards were handed out by the director of the Bureau of Veterans Services, Peter Ogden, as well as Libby and Maine National Guard Major Michael Backus. Also on hand were Saviello, Sen. Walter Gooley and Rep. Lance Harvell.
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Bureau of Veterans Services’ Peter Ogden introduces an award recipient at a crowded recognition ceremony.Ogden, who helped get the program started with Saviello, said that the star metals reflected the nature of the veteran’s sacrifice; bronze given to a family of a soldier who died out of combat, silver for veterans who had spent time as a prisoner of war or had been injured, and the gold star for the surviving family members of a soldier killed in the line of duty. The names of recipients are also displayed in the Hall of Flags in Augusta, on a plaque.
Speakers often referred to current events, pointing to the continual nature of military tradition in this country. Ogden thanked veterans and others who met departing and arriving soldiers with cheers and flags. Saviello asked for a moment of silence on behalf of the victims of the recent shooting in Fort Hood. Libby noted that more than 900 national guardsmen from Maine were currently preparing to go overseas to Iraq and Afghanistan.
“The fight continues,” he said, “and Maine is a significant part of that. I want you all to know that we are being served by a particularity great group of young men and women.”
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Farmington Emblem Club members fold the flag to end the evening’s ceremonies.
A wondarful program today and thanks for taking time to this for our Veterans and the community.
Ben you did a great job covering the story like always.
Thank you Mr. Webber