Vol. 33 # 2 & 3 • AUTOMNE/HIVER Air Force Senior Airman Adam P. Servais Senior Airman Servais was in the and began directing close air support rocky Uruzgan province in south-central to help suppress the insurgents. As he Afghanistan on Aug. 19, 2006, when the was talking with pilots overhead and convoy he was traveling with came under spotting targets for them, a rocket-pro- heavy fire from insurgents. An estimated pelled grenade exploded behind Servais, 100 or more concealed enemies began killing him. Servais was a member of a shooting from three sides. Immediately, Special Forces operational detachment Servais turned his Humvee’s machine gun that was working with Afghan National toward enemy fire and began shooting. Army soldiers and Afghan police. He Rounds began exploding near the convoy. was posthumously awarded the Bronze Onalaska, WI Servais turned over responsibility for the Star Medal for Valor on Aug. 25, 2006. Bronze Star recipient machine gun to another team member Marine Corps Reserve Cpl. Todd Corbin In the face of danger, most would the Euphrates River and needed sup- run toward safety. Yet, when then- port to block the insurgents’ retreat. Lance Cpl. Corbin was faced with Corbin’s team – a quick reaction force such a decision, he ran toward peril (QRF) – quickly responded to the call. and possible death – braving intense enemy fire to help injured comrades. Corbin, a medium tactical vehicle replacement driver, and his unit were stationed in the Al Anbar province to help secure and stabilize the volatile area. They had just finished several days of routine patrol on May 7, 2005, and were returning Norwalk, OH to the Haditha Dam when they got the call. Navy Cross recipient A platoon from their battalion was under attack on the east side of Navy Reserve Capt. Matthew C. Gratton While serving as the battalion to be evacuated. On Aug. 28, 2006, Grat- surgeon for a Marine unit from January ton was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. to September 2005 in the Al Anbar prov- ince of Iraq, Dr. Gratton was responsible for the health and well-being of 1,700 Marines, sailors and Iraqi soldiers. Dur- ing his deployment, Gratton provided specialized medical care to more than 1,000 patients, and organized material and personnel support for more than 500 Iraqi army personnel. In addition, Gratton Roeland Park, KS provided trauma care to the battalion’s Bronze Star recipient 345 troops wounded in action, 150 of whom were in critical condition and had (N.D.L.R. Some of our many heroes who fight for our freedom) 45 Le Forum One Aroostook County family (Remebering a Band of Brothers from page 46) sent five of its own to serve around the globe during World War II Three of the five Deschaine brothers who joined the Army together during World War II are shown in a family photo taken on May 2, 1955. (Photo courtesy of Joseph Deschaine) By BDN Staff stories of his five half brothers’ wartime news. One letter informed the family Saturday, November service. Although much younger, he that Gilbert’s ship had been attacked 10, 2007 - Bangor forged a bond with the brothers. An Army by a Japanese suicide pilot on Mindoro Daily News, used veteran who was stationed in Korea and Strait in the Philippine Islands on Dec. with permission. served in Vietnam in the 1960s, Joe 21, 1944, and he was missing in action. said World War II changed his family The next October, the Rev. Blanchette By Dick Shaw forever. There’s no doubt Joe’s brother of the local Catholic parish delivered a Special to the Paul, of South Portland, who served in telegram from Edward F. Witsell, acting Germany while in the Army, would agree. adjutant general of the Army, stating that News “Things were never easy for them, Gilbert had been declared killed in action. but my father was strong,” said Joe’s Pelletier, who now has Gilbert’s A tattered clipping from the Bangor sister, Armande Pelletier of Van Buren. Purple Heart, said it was heartbreaking Daily News, dated March 12, 1945, tells “He had a strong faith, and that sustained for the family not to have a body to the poignant story of five brothers from him when his sons went off to war.” bury in Van Buren’s Catholic cemetery. the St. John Valley who were scattered Pelletier said it was not unusual for Today, a simple cross marker and a around the globe during World War II. five brothers from Maine to serve their brass plaque bearing Gilbert’s name sit What reads like Hollywood fiction, down country, but she is surprised they were next to his parents’ grave site. She said to the part where one son doesn’t make stationed so far apart. Gilbert and Omer that the day Xavier was notified his son it home, really happened to one Acadian served separately in the Pacific; Guy was was missing in action, her father would French family from the tiny commu- in Panama; Adrien served in North Af- hear church bells ringing across the nity of Keegan, now part of Van Buren. rica; and Leo in France and Germany. Jo- river in Canada while he worked. But Omer, Leo, Guy, Gilbert and seph, the youngest son from Xavier’s first whenever he paused, the bells would Adrien Deschaine were all young and marriage, did not serve in World War II. cease. This continued all afternoon, attached to their parents and five siblings An overseas letter arriv - perhaps seen as some sort of divine mes- when they joined the U.S. Army after ing at the Keegan farm nor- sage that Gilbert wasn’t coming home. the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in mally was a cause for celebration. The other four brothers returned 1941. Like their father, Xavier, and their “Father, since I have been in the to Maine after the war, all marrying stepmother, Leona, the French-speak- army I have met a lot of friends ... ,” and most having children. Looking for ing sons had seldom left their family wrote Gilbert on Feb. 21, 1943. “So work, Guy moved to Lewiston, where farm near the New Brunswick border. far father I have learned to speak some his sister, Lina, already lived. Guy “This was backwoods Maine,” of the English language. That will help still lives in Lewiston. Omer, the other said Joe Deschaine of Dedham. “I re- me quite a lot when the war is over. ...” surviving brother, lives in Connecticut. member during Lent saying the rosary “Father next pay day I will send Adrien received years of treatment at while listening to a French radio station, home $20 and that will help you some Togus veterans hospital for a wartime head and Sunday meant leaving very early ... ,” he continued. “Don’t forget and injury and died in 1992. Leo died in 2006. for the first Mass at Keegan church.” say some prays (sic) for me and my “My mother said that, for years, Joe, who was born to Xavier’s brothers. ... Father I sure do miss you Dad would sit on the bed at night second wife, Leona (his first wife Alice a lot and all my brothers and sisters.” and cry,” Pelletier said. “He didn’t died in 1938), grew up hearing riveting The postman also brought bad (Continued on page 47) 46 Vol. 33 # 2 & 3 • AUTOMNE/HIVER (Remebering a Band of Brothers from page 46) talk to me a lot about Gilbert, but mother would. Even though Gilbert went off to war shortly after she mar- ried Dad, I think he was her favorite.” A telegram dated Oct. 7, 1945, confirms that Gilbert was killed in action. (Continued on page 50) 47 Le Forum six hits, but only one double, during the doubleplay in the 9th inning. Pittsburgh eight games and ended up with a .222 was down 6-3. With outfielder Ginger average. Parent did better with nine Beaumont on first, outfielder Fred Clarke hits, three of those being triples, and hit one that was apparently going to past a .281 average. He also scored eight second base. But Parent got the ball on the runs, compared to only two for Wagner. run within two inches of the ground and, (Le p’tit receveur prometteur de Wagner was also outplayed on though it carried him off his feet, he had Woonsocket Suite page 49) defence, committing a total of six errors. little trouble doubling Beaumont at first. Parent, whose reputation was compared That was the end of the come- Sanford’s to a stonewall by another team manager back and the series was now tied. before the series began, made only two. In game 7 won 7-3 by Boston, Par- Mr. Baseball Pittsburgh took a 3-1 lead in the se- ent singled in the 6th inning and scored, by Yves Chartrand ries, even winning game three in Boston then tripled to left in the 8th inning and and game four in Pittsburgh, but Boston scored again on a wild pitch. Five of Bos- (Ottawa, Ontario) won the next four games, including ton’s 11 hits in the game were triples. Be- games five, six and seven in Pittsburgh, cause of a field rule, hits ending up into the to become so-called world champions crowd were deemed ground-rule triples. Part 1 - Better than a leg- of baseball, even though the two cities In the deciding game played at the endary player for two weeks were only 560 miles apart. Boston play- Huntington avenue ballpark in Boston ers got $1,182 each for winning the title.