Editor,

The support of the Windham area community means a lot to our Veterans – a special thanks to the more than 100 people who attended our Veterans Day ceremony and following reception at the Veterans Center on Sunday 11/11@11-2007.

During the program, we neglected to mention the special addition of five new benches to our Veterans Memorial Gardens. These are decorative concrete garden benches on loan from Linda Libby of Buttercup Castings on River Road. The public is invited to purchase these benches in honor or memory of your beloved veteran. Call the Veterans Center for details at 892-1159. If you were not able to attend the ceremony on Sunday, please take the time to drive in Veterans Memorial Drive (between Evergreen Credit Union and Friendly’s) and look at the park and the gardens at the veterans center.

For help in the development this year of the Veterans Memorial Park and Veterans Memorial Gardens, we wish to thank:

• Joe Gagne – Roosevelt Trail Garden and Floral Center

• Mark Gunnille and Kerry Fairlee – Windham Sebago Gardens

• Bob Wehmeyer – Windham Flying Llama Farm

• Lisa Waters – Gorham Landscaper/Garden Designs

• Bruce Elder – Windham Contractor

• Peter Busque – Windham Contractor

• Jay Hackett – Windham Rental Center

• Keith Stiles – Windham Moonshine Signs

• Eric A. Pennanen – Pennanen Masonry

• Dave Tanguay – Cmdr. Windham American Legion

• Don Swander – Cmdr. Windham Veterans of Foreign Wars

• Real Tanguay – Windham American Legion

• Ken Murch – Windham VFW

• John Cooper – Windham VFW

• Bob Dunham – Windham VFW

• Ralph Johnston – Windham VFW & AL

For help and participation in the program, we wish to thank:

• Emcee – Don Swander, Pres. Windham Veterans Association

• Chaplain – Karle Learned/American Legion

• Speaker Charlie Craigen

• State – Bill Diamond, Gary Plummer, Mark Bryant

• County – Reader Malory Shaughnessy

• Town – Garden Dedication Tony Plante

• Council – John MacKinnon, Bob Muir, Carol Waig, Kaile Warren

• Singers – Gloria Jean and Tux

• Flag – Captain Daryl Caron and parents David/Ellen Caron

• Crest Soldiers – Don Rogers/Army, Terry Ladd & Paul Kennedy/Marines. Darin Aldrich/Navy. Don McCormack/Air Force. Bob Dudley/Coast Guard. Art Stevenson & Real Tanguay/Merchant Marines.

• Gardens Master – Dave Tanquay/Cmdr. American Legion

• Scouts – Leaders Craig & Mac and Boy Scouts from Windham Troop 805

For physical and financial help with the great reception in the Hall:

• Wal Mart Community support program

• Wal Mart deli

• David Gearry – Thatcher’s Restaurant

• Windham Dunkin Donuts

• Blossoms Florist of Windham

• Organizer – Diane Aldrich

• Helpers – Camille Swander & Susan Thombs

• Bakers – Katherine-Stetson Reed, Diane Aldrich, Camille Swander, and at least five other ladies (not known by the kitchen staff) who dropped off delicious brownies, cookies, fudge bars, sweet breads, and cheese/crackers.

This was our third annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Windham Veterans Center. We always celebrate Veterans Day on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. so please mark your calendar right now and plan to join us at the Veterans Center on 11/11@11-2008. Thank you Windham for your continued support of Windham area Veterans.

Windham Veterans Association members