By CWR Mark D. Houdlette
Maine National Guard
news@timesrecord.com

09/19/2007

CARIBOU — After 85 years of distinguished service the 1st Battalion, 152nd Field Artillery Battalion officially folded its flag and was retired.

In a ceremony held in Caribou, more than 500 people, including current and former soldiers, gathered to remember the unit.

The 152nd was established in May 1922 and has been in service, without interruption, until the deactivation ceremony. The battalion was mobilized for service during World War II performing missions in the European Theater and had members serving in Korea, Vietnam and most recently in Iraq.

Members of Battery A were the last 152nd unit to be mobilized for service, performing duty in Iraq in 2004-2005. This unit took over control of the well-known Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad immediately following the initial media coverage and investigation of U.S. prison guards’ treatment of detainees.

On a beautiful sunny day in Caribou the 152nd gathered on the grounds of the Teague Park School to stage a final salute to the unit. The guest speaker, Maine’s former Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Earl L. Adams, set the tone for the day.

“The issues of leadership, resourcefulness, equipment, pride and planning were instilled in the members of this battalion and have been nurtured over the course of many years,” he said.

Lt. Col. Michael G. Pooler, the last battalion Commander of the 152nd, said: “A soldier may be able to re-grade a road if it is not quite right, but an artilleryman can never retrieve that round once it leaves the tube. This need for accuracy, technical competence, and the constant danger of making a deadly mistake is what makes the soldiers of this battalion unique.”

Many of the 152nd Soldiers will transition into the new 185th Engineer Support Company that will take over the armories in Caribou, Fort Kent and Houlton. The soldiers will have new job skills, such as mechanics and heavy equipment operators.