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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2019
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The Maine Turnpike Authority to honor Gold Star heroes
MTA to host The Summit Project’s Honor Case through mid-May
PORTLAND, Maine-The Maine Turnpike Authority (MTA) held a ceremony today to mark the opening of The Summit Project’s Honor Case at the turnpike’s headquarters in Portland. The Summit Project (TSP) is a nationally recognized, Maine based non-profit whose mission is to honor the state’s newest war casualties and the faithful spirit of all Mainers. TSP asks groups in Maine to take custody of the Honor Case to help recognize and pay tribute to the sacrifices made by Maine’s fallen.
The case holds stones engraved with the names, birth and death dates of the fallen soldiers from Maine since September 11, 2001. The Summit Project allows Mainers to honor fallen heroes through action. Surviving families unearth and donate stones that uniquely represent their loved ones. Volunteers discover the lives of our heroes and then carry these stone and their stories on treks throughout Maine and across the world.
Speakers at today’s event included Peter Mills, Executive Director at the MTA, MTA Board member, Michael Cianchette, Greg Johnson from The Summit Project, and Representative Bettyann Sheats. Taylor Crawford from York High School opened the event with the Star-Spangled Banner.
The Maine Turnpike Authority was designated the Gold Star Memorial Highway in 1965 and rededicated as such in 2001. “As the Gold Star Memorial Highway, the Maine Turnpike Authority is grateful for the opportunity to host the Honor Case in hopes of bringing broader awareness to the public about what Gold Star stands for,” said MTA spokesperson, Erin Courtney.
The Summit Project’s Greg Johnson said, “We are so pleased that the Maine Turnpike has custody of the honor case. We hope MTA employees and customers take a moment to learn about these service members as they pass by.”
The Honor Case will be at the Maine Turnpike Authority headquarters, located at 2360 Congress Street, Portland, until May 18, 2019. Members of the public are invited to come view the case between the hours of 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM at turnpike headquarters.
Other photos from today's event can be found on the Maine Turnpike Authority Facebook page.
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