Annual wreath laying ceremony at 101st ARW

BANGOR, ME, UNITED STATES

12.13.2018

Story by Airman 1st Class Chanhda Ly 

103rd Airlift Wing, Bradley Air National Guard Base

BANGOR AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Maine (Dec. 13, 2018) – The annual wreath laying ceremony held Dec. 13 here, commemorated all those who served and are still serving at the 101st Air Refueling Wing.

The wreath laying ceremony is an event coordinated by the State of Maine Air National Guard Retirees Association in partnership from Wreaths Across America. This event, however was far from the usual dedication.

After serving 40 years in the Air National Guard, retired Senior Master Sgt. Kenneth O. Rowell saluted a wreath in front of the F-101 Voodoo static display on base. This all coincided with Rowell’s 90th birthday, the 382nd birthday of the Air National Guard and a visit from Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, Director of the Air National Guard.

Rowell is the last charter member of the wing. He was sworn in Feb. 5, 1947, in the same location of the wreath laying ceremony.

Rowell said he joined the Air National Guard right after high school because he wanted to volunteer and help. This was the first wreath laying ceremony Rowell attended and it was a happy moment for him.

“I’m glad I could come,” said Rowell. “To see a lot of the group together at the ceremony was very special. It was a sampling of people I’ve known over the years.”

After the wreath ceremony, Rice presented a coin to Rowell, and in a similar gesture Rowell coined Rice.

When expressing how he felt meeting Rowell, Rice was ecstatic.

“To be standing next to somebody that had started the service in 1947 here in Bangor, Maine ...wow” said Rice. "That was over the top. I had no idea in a thousand years I’d have the opportunity to meet somebody as prestigious as that.”

• Date Taken: 12.13.2018
• Date Posted: 12.14.2018 16:04
• Story ID: 303700
• Location: BANGOR, ME, US