MAINE STATE TROOPERS FOUNDATION

How the Maine State Trooper Foundation Helps

Message from the Maine State Trooper Foundation President Mark Nickerson
(Article reprinted from the March 2015 issue of the Maine State Trooper magazine)

It is a great pleasure and honor for me to serve as the current president of the Maine State Troopers Foundation. The 2014 year has been a very busy one for the Foundation, working closely with Special Olympics Maine, Wreaths Across America, fundraising with Dunkin Donuts, and providing Christmas gifts for children in Portland and Bangor who are hospitalized during Christmas. I have attached a list of recipients of the Foundation’s donations for the year and it is far-reaching all across our state. See 2014 Recipient List

Special Olympics Maine I would like to highlight just a couple of the areas we worked on so hard this year. First, the Special Olympics Maine.  I don’t know how anyone can get any more pleasure out of life than to see the excitement in these hard-working athletes’ eyes when they get to compete. This summer, several active Maine State Troopers attended the Dream Ride in Farmington Ct., a major Special Olympics fundraiser. There were over 2000 motorcycles present for a cruise through the area along with an antique/special interest motor vehicle parade.Being in the background and watching this is truly an eye opener. And I can assure each and every one of you that our troopers are very well thought of outside of Maine.

Wreaths Across America The other very important event that takes place each year from this State is the Wreaths Across America ceremony.  I cannot tell you how touched I was to experience this firsthand at the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC. While walking through the cemetery to place a wreath, I came across a young lady kneeling down by a grave and weeping with her head bowed. I have no idea if the grave was that of her father, brother, or husband, but it struck me so deeply, it was a struggle to fight back the tears.To see thousands upon thousands of people descend upon that sacred ground and cover every grave within two hours with a wreath made in Maine  is a sight to behold. It was an honor for the Maine State Trooper Foundation to be a part of this annual event.

I would like to thank all the troopers out there who do your job everyday and the pride with which you carry our department forward. I also want to thank our current Foundation Board for all the hard work they put forth this year and every year. They are; Ret. Lt. Kevin Conger, Ret. Tr. Keith Frank, Ret. Sgt. Mike Kaspereen, Ret. Tr. Phil Pushard, Sgt. Darren Foster and Tr. Aaron Turcotte.

Respectfully,

Mark E. Nickerson, Retired Trooper
President, Maine State Troopers Foundation