Summit Hikers relate to study of stones
By Benjamin Barr, Jr.
MILLINOCKET LAKE—You have heard it said that it takes a village; certainly, in part, that is true. Relating to stones may sound a bit strange but that is the connection.
A select group of hikers have been selected to carry stones up a mountain. The mountain? The Owl in Baxter State Park. The Hikers? Part of the contingent that will carry those stones atop the mountain.
The Summit Project was initially conceived and organized by Dave Cote, USMCR, founder and president in 2013. It was a way to honor the fallen since the tragic events of 9/11.
“We carry their stone for a hike; we carry their story for a lifetime,” remarked Cote.
Thus, it is more than simply picking up a stone and walking with it in your backpack. It is more about making connections with the soldier’s history, service, and the family.
Three teams (red, white, and blue) are given the stones and they hike with them. But before they receive the stones, the hikers learn the story.
The hikers learn about the identity of the fallen soldier that is represented by a stone that has been selected by the family.
I caught up with several of the hikers during their overnight at NEOC on Saturday evening, May 26. It talked specifically with a couple of the hikers, an organizer, and a gold star dad.
Brian Brown (not the KRN reporter) organized the portion of the bike riders making the journey from Portland to Millinocket Lake. Brown is a former staff Sergeant with the Army and understands the sacrifice of veterans.
Brown arranged for bike units such as the Red Knights from American Legion Post 80. It is Brown’s responsibility of assuring that the stones arrive at NEOC for the transfer to Gold Star family members at NEOC. Another transfer would occur prior to climbing the Owl.
“It’s a job that pays it forward with the sacrifices that they (soldiers) made,” Brown commented. “We’re carrying out the memory as they gave the ultimate sacrifice.”
Cloyd Tavenner had learned about Sgt. Joel House who formally was from Lee and in whose memory that “House in the Woods” was created to assist surviving soldiers with adjusting to life once the military service is done.
Sgt. House had been killed from injuries sustained by an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) while serving in Iraq in 2007. House liked to fish and hunt; and had a girlfriend. House had been inspired to join the Army after the events of 9/11 while he was a teenager.
“He died overseas for his country,” Tavenner remarked. “He had a life before he went overseas. He didn’t’ come back. I carry this for his parents. His life has meaning.”
The stone that Chris Douphinett was to carry on the mountain was that of his brother Benjamin Demers. Demers was born in Illinois and was four when the family moved to Auburn.
Demers was a very caring person and often there when others needed him. While Demers may not have died in combat duty, the effects of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) eventually got the best of him.
“He committed suicide,” Douphinett explained. “He was into severe depression. It got the best of him.”
Demers played computer games and enjoyed rock music.
“He was a great person,| Douphinett added. “He was always there for everyone. I celebrate life, not loss. Being here is a great way to do that.”
Larry McLain is a Gold Star Dad. His son Buddy died in November 2012 from injuries sustained when his unit was under an air insurgent attack with small-arms fire.
The stone representing Buddy McLain was one that his wife, Chelsea retrieved from Howard Pond in Hanover, a favorite fishing spot.
This is the second year that the elder McLain has been with the Summit Project. The first year he climbed with a stone that he had retrieved from Evan’s Notch in the White Mountain National Forest in South Oxford, Maine.
“These weekends are very healing,” McLain declared. “It’s just awesome. I finally got to hike my son’s stone last year. It’s quite an experience.”
And for each hiker or gold star family, each stone carries a story.