Folks, sad news. Our brother Gil Turcotte passed away on 11/10/2019. Gil was a generous man, full of caring for all of us. One hell of an SF TROOPER. He will be sadly missed among his Detachment (A) family.
Gil served in Detachment”A” from 1976-1984.
A Celebration of Life ceremony was held for Gil on Saturday, 14 December 2019 in Augusta Maine at the Maine Army and Air Force Joint Forces Headquarters Maine National Guard Maine Camp Chamberlain Assembly Hall.
The service began with a Color Guard unit made up of the three law enforcement departments that SGM Gilbert Turcotte worked with plus the Maine Army National Guard soldier in dress blues carrying the US Army Flag. Then the Maine State Select (the best in the state) honor guard brought the folded Colors and the Urn to the table in the front. Followed by a female army guard singing the National Anthem. This was followed by the Invocation by LTC Earl Weigelt Maine National Guard Chaplain.
Then speakers from the Agency Gil worked for in order:
Army MSG Bob Charest Detachment”A” member
Det Paul Ferland of the Winthrop Police Department
Sheriff Ken Mason Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office
Dan Davies of the Sabattus Police Department.
Kevin Cookson Major Kennebec Sheriff’s Office and Gil’s commander as LT in the CID.
Next came remarks from folks present which was well over 100.
Detachment”A” members Douglas Curry, Ron Russell, and Ric Patrick attended along with former army buddies of Gil including “Smitty”, and Steven Boyd were also in attendance.
This was followed by Dot given her emotional remarks.
A poem read at a lot of Vietnam veterans funeral was then recited by MSG retired Ryan Hewins.
The poem was followed by Gil’s one and only request: to have the Ballard of a Green Beret by SSG Sadler.
This was followed by LTC Earl Weigelt Chaplain Maine Army National Guard. Once his remarks were over the Honor Guard standing outside at attention in the pouring rain gave the 21 gun salute.
Two SSG performed the unfolding then re-folding of the colors which was presented to Dot.
Chaplain Weigelt performed the benediction.
After the ceremony a catered reception was held in the camps dining hall.
This is a link to an article from the Central Maine Newspaper.
