The State of Maine Silver star is given to veterans who were either Prisoners of War or injured during a military battle.

Tuesday 14 of the medals were awarded during a ceremony at Hermon High School.

Students looked on as 14 veterans were given some well deserved recognition.

Governor Baldacci says, "These brave americans served their country with great distinction. To you our veterans you all know too well the meaning of sacrifice and service."

Each one was either a prisoner of war, like Eleanor Willey's husband, Private First Class Carleton Willey, taken prisoner during World War 2,

"When he went over, he weighed 182 pounds, he come back less than a hundred."

or they were injured by an enemy, like Specialist Darren Ripley, who served in Iraq.

"It was a roadside bomb, it happened like 20 feet away and the next thing I know, I was knocked down in the humvee."

On Tuesday, they received the state of Maine Silver Star, 800 of the medals have been awarded since it was created in 2006.

It's a way for the state to honor them for their service, and...

"We also recognize the families and say thank you to them because they have suffered and sacrificed along with the veteran over the years."

This ceremony might do even more good, their stories are being told.

"I think it's just wonderful. I'm so glad because I know my husband is watching."

So were a lot of young people, who now know a few of the people who have sacrificed over the decades to ensure their freedom.

"my heart really goes out to you for the work, the accomplishments and what you've given up. So thank you so much veterans."

Here's a list of all those awarded the State of Maine Silver Star on Tuesday.

Silver Star Honorable Service Medal – Prisoner of War
SSG Walter P. DeWitt Army POW Germany Bradford
S/Sgt George T. Hodgins Army AC POW Germany Brewer
S/Sgt James R. Merritt Army POW Germany Orono
PFC Carleton F. Willey Army POW Germany Hampden

Silver Star Honorable Service Medal (Purple Heart recipients)
PVT Andrew S. Clark Army April 1951 Korea Plymouth
SGT Kendrick B. Sawyer Jr. USMC 8 Dec 50 Korea Bangor
CT1 Richard E. Carlson Navy 6 Jun 67 USS Liberty Winterport
SGT Llewellyn C. Cyr Army 18 May 69 Vietnam Carmel
SP4 Richard W. Grant Army 28 Sep 67 Vietnam Glenburn
GMG2 Dwight E. McIntosh Navy Feb 69 Vietnam Levant
SP5 Roger G. Michaud Army 29 Jun 70 Vietnam Hermon
SGT Timothy D. Hendsbee Army NG 28 Jun 2004 Iraq Glenburn
SPC Darren A. Ripley Army 17 Apr, 18 Jun 04 Iraq Bangor

Those who could make the ceremony but will be recognized
PVT Crawford W. Carter Army POW Germany Etna
PVT Roland E. French Army POW Germany Bangor
PVT John B. Tivnan Army POW Germany Newburgh
T/Sgt William See Jr. Army AC POW Germany Newport
PFC Richard F. Proulx Army 30 Jan 45 Germany Hampden
SP4 Frank A. Crossman Army Jan 71 Vietnam Stetson
SGT Charles B. Palmer USMC Vietnam Hampden
SP4 Roger A. Stanley Army 12 Mar 1969 Vietnam LaGrange
PFC Leonard W. Stratton USMC 30 Apr 65 Dominican Republic Corinna

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