Senator King interviews Maine veterans as part of his “Answering the Call, Maine’s Veteran Voices” in partnership with the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project. The project works to honor and remember the service and sacrifice of Maine’s veteran community. Click below to watch recent interviews.
In honor of Veterans Day, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs (SVAC) and Armed Services Committees (SASC), released his latest episode of “Answering the Call: Maine’s Veteran Voices.” In the 12th interview of the series, produced in partnership with the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project, Senator King sat down with Beth Parks of Corea, Maine. Parks is a U.S. Army veteran who served as a nurse during the Vietnam War and later went on to become a wildlife biologist in Maine. During the interview, King and Parks discussed saving lives in Vietnam, overcoming gender barriers, and the importance of Veterans Day.
In honor of Memorial Day, Senator Angus King (I-Maine), sat down with Harry Hafford of Masardis, an Air Force and Army veteran and former Chairman of the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery (NMVC) who worked to establish a site in Caribou. During the interview, King and Hafford discussed the economic opportunities of the Armed Forces, how Maine communities come together to serve veterans, and the meaning of Memorial Day.
In honor of National Vietnam War Veterans Day, Senator King sat down with Norm Lajeunesse of Kennebunkport, who served with the Marine Corps at the height of the Vietnam War.
In the ninth interview of the series, Senator King spoke with Gardiner resident Auta Main, who served in the Air Force as a Russian Linguist during the height of the Cold War. During the interview, Auta shared with the Senator her story of joining the military to support her family, the high-stakes work of linguistics and communications during the Cold War, and what it was like serving as a closeted gay woman during the 70s.
For a special Fourth of July edition of “Answering the Call: Maine’s Veteran Voices,” Senator King spoke with Topsham-resident Bill Littlefield, who spent 38 years in the Army Ordnance Corps stationed across Germany, Korea and the U.S. During the interview, Bill and Senator King discussed his enlistment during the Korean War, his work as a Nuclear Weapons Officer in the height the Cold War, and the opportunities that the Army provided for him and his family.
For the May edition of “Answering the Call: Maine’s Veteran Voices,” Senator King spoke with Belfast resident Joy Asuncion, who spent 20 years in the Navy, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Honor Flight Maine and as the Maine Ambassador for the National Military Women’s Memorial. During the interview, Joy and Senator King discussed her experience breaking barriers as a woman in the Navy, cybersecurity efforts in the Cold War, and how we can better support Maine veterans when they retire from active duty.
For the April edition of “Answering the Call: Maine’s Veteran Voices,” Senator King spoke with Fairfield resident Cornelius “James” Ware, who spent 23 years in the Navy and retired with the rank of Warrant Officer Two. During the interview, James shared with the Senator his story of being inspired by his family to join the military, his deployments that took him around the world, and his decision to continue serving by supporting his fellow veterans through his work with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
For the March edition of “Answering the Call: Maine’s Veteran Voices," Senator King spoke with longtime Maine humorist Gary Crocker, who served on the USS Boston as a Navy Reservist in the Vietnam War. During the interview, Gary shared his story of inspiration and opportunity that led him to join the Armed Services, his time on the USS Boston stationed off the coast of Vietnam, and how his journey as an educator in Maine was shaped by his service. Vietnam Veterans Day is set aside every year on March 29th by the military and veteran community to mark the date in 1974 when the last active duty American troops left the nation at the conclusion of the war.
For the February edition of “Answering the Call: Maine’s Veteran Voices,” Senator King spoke with Brunswick resident Gretchen Evans, who spent 27 years in the Armed Services, lost her hearing while on active duty, and now champions services for injured veterans. During the interview, Gretchen shared with the Senator her story of losing her parents to cancer, joining the military to benefit from the GI Bill, and her remarkable journey to become one of the highest ranking female servicemembers of her generation.
For the January edition of “Answering the Call: Maine’s Veteran Voices,” Senator King spoke with Scarborough resident Chris McGhee who spent 20 years in the Air Force, is an advocate for veterans and servicemembers, and a third year UMaine Law School student. During the interview, Chris told the Senator his story of growing up in poverty, and then advancing through the military to a life he always dreamed of thanks to the opportunities of the Air Force and the GI Bill.
For the December edition of “Answering the Call: Maine’s Veteran Voices,” Senator King spoke with West Gardiner resident Debra (Deb) Couture, who spent 25 years in the Navy as a medical planner, and is now Commander of the Maine American Legion. During the interview, Deb shared with the Senator her deep passion for service, how she broke barriers as the first woman in many roles, and the sense of family she found during her time in the Navy.
For the first interview of the “Answering the Call: Maine’s Veteran Voices. series, Senator King spoke with Belfast resident Carmine Pecorelli, a veteran of World War Two, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War in the Navy, Air Force, and Army respectively. During the interview, Carmine shared with the Senator his deep passion for service, his unparalleled love of America, and why he dropped out of school to join the Navy after Pearl Harbor.
