Dear Editor:

I would like to thank the veterans, their families, and friends for the tremendous turnout at my Welcome Home party/book launch on Saturday, May 28 at the Southport Town Hall. I'd like to thank the following people for helping me set up Friday night, for running the food table and the classic car show, and for cleaning up Saturday afternoon -- Cory Chase, Kathleen Pearce, Dennis Andrews, Jim and Becky Singer, Brian Rego, Phil Chapman, Barry Sherman, Don Brewer Jr., Evelyn Sherman and Jean Thompson, Jerry McGrail and Sherm and Jake Brewer.

The event became so busy, I completely forgot to announce the winners of Name the USO Performers and the How many times have Esme and Sarah seen Bruce Springsteen in concert contests. The prizes are as unique as the contests as I wrote to Hollywood actor, Gary Sinise, and asked him if he'd bring his Lieutenant Dan Band to the island to play for the veterans, unfortunately he had a prior engagement in Washington, D.C., so I wrote back and asked him if he could send some autographed photos for the event. Much to my delight, a short time later, five autographed photos arrived in the mail.

I would also like to thank Charles Malharis, representative from Senator Susan Collins’ office, who assisted in getting Dennis Andrews’ Bronze Star Medal.