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Man creates plaque to laud those in Iraq

Dec- 9-2004 » Filed Under: Tributes

The plaque honors 17 fallen soldiers from Task Force Olympia.

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By DAN McGILLVRAY, Staff Writer

AUGUSTA -- Bob Wing never considered charging the military for his handiwork that recognizes the ultimate sacrifice of 17 soldiers in Iraq, including a Maine man.

"It made me stop to think what these men are doing over there, losing their lives for our freedom. This is the least I can do," said Wing, owner of American Awards Inc. of 283 State St.

The craftsman usually produces plaques with less weighty themes, such as those requested by sports teams, civic clubs, businesses and the state.

But the order he accepted from Sgt. Maj. Paul Luce of the Maine Army National Guard's 240th Engineer Group was different. The Guard wanted something that honored slain soldiers in the multinational brigade stationed in the northwest section of Iraq.

The end result is a two-piece plaque that provides space for perhaps 50 copies of dog tags that will be screwed into the dark wood.

Staff Sgt. Harold Fitch of Pittsfield, a member of the Guard's 133rd Engineer Battalion who is enroute to Iraq after a leave of absence, picked up the small memorial Wednesday afternoon for delivery.

When Fitch arrives in Iraq, he will hand over the Augusta-made plaque to Lt. Col. John Jansen of Mount Vernon, the battalion's commander.

Luce said Jansen wanted to show his respect for the soldiers in the brigade who have died on duty.

"Col. Jansen contacted me just before Veteran's Day. He said he had a specific request and it's the first time he's ever asked for anything special," said Luce, who also received a sketch of what the plaque should resemble.


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