BANGOR, Maine — In a solemn gathering that bridged historical milestones with youthful dedication, the Bangor Junior ROTC commemorated the legacy of the USS Maine and the valor of the Bangor Victory Platoon in a ceremony in Davenport Park this past Saturday. The event not only honored the lives lost in a pivotal naval disaster in 1898 but also celebrated the local teenagers who, decades later, enlisted en masse to serve in World War II.
The USS Maine, a U.S. Navy battleship, met a tragic fate when it exploded in Havana Harbor, Cuba, in 1898, claiming the lives of over 250 sailors. This incident is often marked as a significant spark that ignited the Spanish-American War. Decades following this event, the spirit of service continued strongly in Bangor, with a large contingent of 17-year-olds in 1943, who later became famous as the Bangor Victory Platoon, stepping forward to enlist for World War II. They gathered in front of the memorial ship’s monument, a solemn reminder of past sacrifices and the enduring legacy of service.
The local ROTC unit, composed of high school students, plays a pivotal role in keeping this history alive for the community. At the ceremony, Cadet Major Jacob Biberstein eloquently captured the dual essence of remembrance and ongoing responsibility. “It’s an honor to speak about their service, dedication to the community, and this country by the members of the Bangor Victory Platoon and the USS Maine,” Biberstein said at the event.
The ceremony included traditional elements such as the laying of a wreath at the park’s monument, which prominently features the golden front-facing design of the USS Maine. Dennis Gallant, a submarine veteran, was invited to partake in this act of remembrance. He expressed the profound symbolic nature of the gesture, noting, “It basically symbolized honoring the people that have given their lives.”
The continuity of this commemorative culture in Bangor has been substantially supported and carried forward by the younger generation, particularly the JROTC cadets. Their involvement in organizing such events highlights the importance of passing historical knowledge and values of service down through generations. Dusty Fisher, an Army veteran and former history teacher involved in the Marine Corps League, emphasized this point: “It is very important, I think, for kids to be aware of what’s gone on in the past.”
The Bangor Junior ROTC’s active participation extends beyond annual remembrance events. They play integral roles in community activities, including organizing parades for Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day, and collaborating with the Marine Corps League for the Toys for Tots program. This engagement fulfills a key part of their mission, which Biberstein reiterated: “The Junior ROTC’s motto is to make young people better citizens, and our goal is to learn about our community and learn about the history of it.”
Through events like the one held on Saturday, Bangor’s youth are not only learning about their history but are also taking on the mantle of teaching and preserving it for future generations, ensuring the sacrifices and lessons of the past remain vivid and meaningful parts of local and national heritage.