A new program launching this Sunday aims to honor Maine veterans and share their stories. “Maine Veterans Spotlight” will debut on WGAN at noon and will feature interviews with veterans about their experiences in the military, their return to civilian life, and the challenges they have faced.
The program is a collaboration between WGAN, the Maine Association of Broadcasters, and Wreaths Across America, a non-profit organization that places wreaths on veterans’ graves at Arlington National Cemetery and other locations around the country.
Jeff Pierce, Director of Broadcast and Media Partnerships for Wreaths Across America, says the program is an important way to honor veterans and help them heal. “The key point is the feeling of sharing,” Pierce said in an interview on WGAN’s “Inside Maine.” “We don’t get better for whatever our trauma was or is by not talking about it.”
The first episode of “Maine Veterans Spotlight” will feature Marilla Cushman, a special assistant to the president of the Military Women’s Memorial, and Gary Crocker, a Vietnam veteran who will discuss his experiences after returning home from the war.
The program’s host, Aaron, spoke on “Inside Maine” about the importance of sharing veterans’ stories, especially those of Vietnam veterans, “There are less and less of them every day,” he said. “By doing this type of show, and showing these veterans sharing their stories of service, gives the example to others, that it’s okay to talk about it.”
“Maine Veterans Spotlight” is set to air Sundays at noon on WGAN.
