WWII, Vietnam, and Purple Heart Memorials
The State of Maine World War II Veterans Memorial is located on the lawn of the Cole Land Transportation Museum and was dedicated on October 11, 1997 by Governor Angus King. Each year since then, a Commemoration of that dedication is held at the memorial. Tens of thousands visit the memorial and the most moving are those who stand in reverence as they remember and honor those who served.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart Memorial, located on the west side of the State of Maine World War II Veterans Memorial, was dedicated on August 7, 2003 by Governor John Baldacci. The Purple Heart is awarded for wounds or death as a result of an act of an opposing armed force. The first Purple Heart was awarded by General George Washington in 1783.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park is a combination of an M-60 Tank, Huey Helicopter, 3-Person Bronze Statue, and a black granite monument listing names of 339 Vietnam veterans from Maine that were killed or missing in action. All of these memorials were dedicated by Governor John Baldacci on Memorial Day, May 31, 2004.
The Korean War Memorial was erected on September 3rd, 2008. It is a small granite memorial honoring all Maine Korean War veterans and pays special tribute to the 5 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
The Bangor World War II Memorial, a black granite monument with the names of Bangor residents who gave their lives in WWII was added next to the State of Maine World War II Memorial in 2012.
Any one of the above memorials is a special area to reflect on those who have sacrificed for our country.