George E. Coombs.  21 years.

So many names, yet so few at the same time.

Orin Conway.  29 years.

These men gave their all in battle, to keep us free.

Charles V. Smith.  16 years.

So young to die, but strangely, I feel like he wouldn’t have had it any other way.

James Sandbourn.  17 years.

This day, May 28th, we have set aside to remember the people that gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Francis E. Bray.  21 years.

Memorial Day is the ceremonial start to summer for our country.

Samuel West.  18 years.

But sometimes the true meaning of the day gets overlooked.

John M. Conway.  22 years.

On the island of Vinalhaven, Maine, this is not the case.

Isiah Coombs.  23 years.

Everyone on this island knows the true meaning of the day.

Freeman Brown.  23 years.

What a refreshing change of pace.

Manford Tobin. 21 years.

When all you’re used to is the parties from the mainland.

Alexander Young. 19 years.

It is nice to find somewhere that still honors their vets.

Flavious Mills.  19 years.

And still knows the true meaning of Memorial Day.

Francis Crockett.  21 years.

Vinalhaven is one of a kind.

The sand on the shore 

Like a thin line of tan in the distance.  

The tiny little sailboat 

Like a white dot in a sea of deep blue.  

The incredibly beautiful women all around.  

It makes me feel a little like Luke Bryan. 

I got the best view in the world.  

Spendin’ my days, 

Catchin’ these rays, 

Watchin’ coconut cover girls.

Sittin’ here in Suntan City,

With a cold one in my hand.

Little island out at sea.  

You remind me of someone that I think very highly of.  

You’re strong and independent.  

You weather every storm as if it’s nothing.  

Even when others doubt you, 

you still remain, unwavering.  

This person I know, is all of those things and more.  

They continue to amaze me every day that I see them.  

Weathering the storm of life as if its nothing 

and keeps going.  

I’ve never been more proud 

to know any single human being.

Dirty oil pump out,

Quirky old man:

What a combination.

They go together like 

Claire and a five-year-old mindset.