Veazie Has Named A Bridge After Its Only Fallen Vietnam Vet

Recently, I wrote a piece about a friend of mine who was helping someone clean out an area of their house, and he found a backpack on the shelf. Inside he found an old POW bracelet. Through the magic of the internet, he returned the bracelet to a family member in Massachusetts. It was quite the story by the time all was said and done.

There's no time like the present.

Obviously, the Vietnam war ended in the physical sense, decades. But even almost 50 years after the war ended, there's still a lot of feelings left over. Thousands and thousands of soldiers never made it home and gave their lives for their country. We all know it's the ultimate sacrifice one can make in the line of duty.

But no matter how much time passes, it's always a beautiful gesture when people take the time to remember those lost. Veazie has done just that. They've named the bridge that corners Main and State Street after Hayward Carl Spencer. He's the only resident of Veazie that was killed in the Vietnam war.

Never forget...

This past Monday, there was a naming ceremony to officially recognize the bridge's new name, according to WABI. This is a small, but honorable tribute to someone who gave their life defending where we live. Veazie sees this. As we all should. Veterans are part of what makes our country strong, and honoring them is important.

Maine has lost its fair share of dedicated soldiers over the years, going all the way back to the Civil War. Honoring them in the present is what helps keep our rich history alive. Forgetting what they sacrificed is not how Maine is. We cherish our military members and are proud to honor them any way possible. Well done, Veazie.

LOOK: 100 years of American military history

LOOK: Full List of the Best Places to Live in Maine

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Maine using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Cities, suburbs, and towns were included. Listings and images are from realtor.com. On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks.

Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.