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Honoring Our Veterans

“The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.”
  


 Calvin Coolidge

Veterans Day November 11, 2023

Memorial Day 2022

Veterans Day 2021

Special presentation by Colonel John Thibault, US Army, Retired.

The service of our Veterans in support of their country and communities is an integral part of our culture, heritage and history. 

Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center hopes you appreciate the service of our veterans and enjoy this presentation by local veteran, John Thibault. 

Local historian, Louise Merriman presents on a topic near and dear to her heart, ” The Honorable Jeremiah Hill: Who Was He?”

Author and Civil War Historian, Brian Swartz discusses Maine and the community’s contribution to the Union during the Civil War.

Armistice Day

Armistice Day, celebrated every year on November 11th, was named to commemorate the signing of an armistice between Allied Forces of World War I and Germany, on the 11th hour of the eleventh month of 1918.

Originally intended to honor those who died and served during WWI,  the day now serves to honor American Veterans, living and deceased. 

 

Here is the story of Louis Dubreuil, a young man, not even a citizen, who sacrificed his young life for his new country. 

He died on the very first Armistice Day, November 11th, 1918 at the age of 23 years old from injuries received in battle on October 6th, 1918.

Vietnam Veteran Raoul Goulet

Raoul Goulet of Biddeford is a man who wears many hats. 

As a board member of the Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center, his insights have been invaluable, as president of the Franco-American Genealogical Society of York County, he is always working to help someone with something. He is also a volunteer on the fire department and also holds a paying job on top of all that.

But, this quiet, unassuming man has seen a lot. He shares some of his perspectives and thoughts about what life was like as a soldier during the Vietnam Conflict and how it shaped him into the person he is today. 

Must See TV

“Travis A Soldier’s Story”  is the story of Travis Mills who served 3 times in Afghanistan. It is an inspirational story. It is sad at times, but shows the true character of our military in all ways. The foundation sent a blue ray dvd with permission to share, but we are unable to load it for viewing online. 

The PBS documentary, “GI Jews” is another must see. The struggles and triumphs of the Jewish people serving during World War II, seeing the horrors of war some of their own Jewish families were living through in Europe, and the way they were treated really makes one think about how hurtful some can be and how resilient many are. Unfortunately, BCHC was unable to procure the rights to show the entire film, but the short clip is very telling. 

Both films are available for sale commercially.