Every Veteran has a story
ABOUT
I am a speaker and story teller. My passion is all about sharing the rich history of Maine Veterans, their contributions, and sometimes their ultimate sacrifice to our great country. I talk about Maine Veterans during conflict eras and peace time periods.
Their final resting places cover a global expanse. From here in Maine, to National Cemeteries, to foreign lands and lost at sea.
My talks can range from 30 minutes to an hour or longer if needed. I also create custom talks upon request.
I provide information for Veteran burial requests, Veteran marker replacements and much more.
Please scroll down to see a sampling of fascinating stories and information on Veteran Burials.
For example, the image on the right tells the following story:
"This Maine Veteran fought in the Civil War and died at the Battle of Gettysburg at the age of 22 and was brought home. He is one of eight Civil War Veterans interred at Maple Grove Cemetery Bangor Maine. The star shaped medallion in the foreground says GAR- that stands for Grand Army of the Republic (Union Army). Did you know during the Civil War that over 70,000 Mainers volunteered? One of the highest percentages of any state."
Talk Topics
Final Resting Places
Maine Veteran remains are found from cemeteries, to battlefields, to lost at sea and many more. Explore these remembrances
The Forgotten Balloon Corps
Maine Veterans and their pivotal roles as the military used balloons from the Civil War to WWI.
K-9 Corps WWII
Maine Veterans and their war dogs in the South Pacific during WWII from training to deployment. These K-9 Veterans saved many Marines.
Maine Merchant Marines of WWII
Learn about the critcal roles that Merchant Marines played during WWII. They endured one of the highest casualty rates of the war. They were finally awarded Veteran status in 1980.
More Talk Topics
USV
United States Volunteers
These volunteers were created by the Army. They are veterans
of the Spanish-American War. This picture is a medal created by a Veterans organization for those veterans.
The Ironclads
Maine Veterans on the Ironclads during the Civil War. Over 6000 Mainers volunteered for the Union Navy. There was a Mainer who went down on the ill fated Union boat the Monitor.
Light House and Life Saving Service
Maine Veterans served with distinction in peace time eras as well as conflict. The Life Saving and Light Houses services were
combined into a 'new' 1915 Coast Guard.
Maine Veterans who are renowned explorers
Admirals Peary and MacMillan are noted for North Pole fame.
Both graduates of Bowdoin College. Admiral Peary being credited as the first person to the pole. Admiral MacMillan would lead several more expeditions to the pole.
Many More Maine Veteran Stories
There are so many Maine Veteran stories from the Wind Talkers of the Penobscot Nation, the formation of the modern Coast Guard in 1915 with Maine's role as a life saving service, Maine Medal of Honor honorees and more...
Honoring Veterans
Every Veteran deserves to be remembered
Educational presentations and workshops.
Helping families, civic organizations and communities understand Veteran burial benefits, memorial options and requirements for interment in the Maine Veteran, National cemeteries, Burial at sea and more.
Burial at sea
Cremation or full body memorial services are available for Veterans who desire such a remembrance.
A full body burial at sea requires a high level of planning and can take several months.
Burial at one of Maine's four Veteran Cemeteries
The State of Maine maintains four Veteran cemeteries:
Civic Center Drive Augusta, Memorial Drive Augusta,
Southern Maine Springvale and Northern Maine Caribou. These cemeteries allow for the interrment of the veteran, spouse and under certain conditions dependent children. All interrments receive the finest perpetual care for free.
Burial at a National Cemetery
The National Cemetery Administration (NCA)
maintains 157 National cemeteries throughout the US.
Most Veterans are eligible for interrment. However, some are full, like Togus National cemetery here in Maine, and do not accept new interrments. Arlington National Cemtery, arguably the best known, has stricter requirements than other national cemeteries for burials but remains an option.
Burial at one of Maine's several thousand public and private cemeteries
Burial in a Maine public or private cemetery varies greatly from town to town. Maine public cemeteries are required to offer a higher level of care for veteran remains.
Veteran Markers
A VA marker comes in many shapes and sizes. Upright granite, marble, flat granite, bronze marker and bronze medallions. The pictures are from VA form 40-1330 Request for grave markers, which also includes pictures of Emblems of Belief. The VA will issue a grave marker for public and private cemeteries. *The VA will replace a damaged or broken VA marker in any cemetery for free*
Maine Veteran Cemetery
Just for fun:
This may look like the star ship Enterprise but it's a drone photo I took. This is the committal shelter and memorial wall at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Civic Center drive in Augusta. The blue roof chapel no longer exists. There more than 17000 Veterans interred at Civic Center in perpetual care.
Bio
Glenn Roberts was the surveyor/mapper for the Bureau of Veteran Services for the State of Maine.
He surveyed, made web based maps and captured drone images of the more than 27,000 Veteran interments in the States' four Veteran cemeteries.
Glenn has extensive knowledge of Veteran markers from the US Civil War to modern day, unknown grave markers and burial at sea.
He holds a BS in Survey Engineering from the University of Maine and a MS in GIS Management from Salisbury University.
Glenn is a Sevice Disabled Marine Corps Veteran.
Contact Me
Welcome to MEVetCem!
I am a speaker/story teller for Maine Veterans, their legacy and final resting places. Visit my page to learn more.
This photo is of a WWI Balloon Corps battlefield observer in France.