It is not often that we can top the high of a beautiful wedding day for the French’s Point Family. But on June 15, 2013, not only did we celebrate a wonderful wedding on a spectacularly beautiful day, but we also welcomed home one of our own with tears of joy and many hugs.
It was the perfect end to a perfect day!
Scott Broadley and his girlfriend Megan Higgins, of Stockton Springs, have been a part of the FP family since 2011. In 2012, Scott joined the National Guard based out of Waterville as part of the 488th Military Police Co. We were so proud of him for joining. The sacrifice our servicemen and woman make to protect our country is something we understand, and our hearts go out to their family and friends left behind while they are in harm’s way. My family has a long family legacy of military service of which I am very proud. We are also very proud of our history of hosting events for military clients here at FP. We are very lucky to have an amazing clientele, but our military couples hold a special place in our hearts.
On July 21, 2012, the 488th left Maine for Fort Bliss Texas for training prior to deployment to Afghanistan. While there, Scott excelled at the training but fell ill for a portion of his time there. After leaving their homes in Maine, many selling everything they owned before leaving knowing they would be gone for a year, their unit was told before deployment that 20 members would not be going to Afghanistan due to military spending cut-backs. It was heart-breaking for those sent back to Maine early. Scott had made a great impression, I am certain with his determination, strength, agility and even temperament in the time he was there. In spite of his illness, he was still chosen for deployment.
On September 19, 2012 they flew overseas arriving on September 23, 2012 in Afghanistan. They spent the first two weeks living in tents and continuing their safety training alongside the unit they were replacing. After two weeks, they moved into the dorm housing after the other unit was sent back to the States once leaders felt the 488th was ready to take over. Their mission while there was to conduct police, detainment & stability operations and enhance security for coalition and Afghanistan forces. The unit’s nickname is “The Guardians”, for obvious reasons. Scott became good friends with a couple of guys in his unit and still talks to and sees them frequently. They became like brothers he said over the year they were together. Scott says he is most proud of his unit for a successful and uneventful tour with no injuries or casualties. They conducted themselves professionally and worked hard while there, and then all made it home safely to their loved ones.
One of Scott’s many loved ones and his biggest supporter is high school sweetheart girlfriend Megan Higgins. Meg and Scott kept in regular contact by phone and Skype. According to Scott, modern technology made their time apart bearable. Meg sent a never-ending flow of care packages and kept family and friends updated about Scott. She coped beautifully with the constant anxiety-provoking question of “when is he coming home?” Meg is part of the coordination team here at FP for the year he was deployed, so we followed them through the entire process. The selfless sacrifice, support and love these two young people have for one another is truly remarkable. And I see a great deal of love here at FP.
Scott’s unit touched down on US soil in early June 2013 at Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth, NH. And to compound the torment of being oh so close, they were then transferred back to Fort Bliss, TX for post-deployment debriefing. They finally headed home to Maine on June 15. All of our hearts and minds wandered a bit that day when we knew Scott and Megan were reunited again at the Guard Base in Bangor.
When I spoke with him earlier this week, Scott wanted to thank his family and friends for the support they gave him and Meg over the last year and also the groups, individuals, and organizations like Bangor Savings Bank that sent a constant stream of care packages and gifts. It kept the morale of the unit upbeat and helped to pass the time.
While fulfilling the remainder of his eight-year enlistment term, Scott plans to attend the University of Maine at Orono with the hopes of being a high school physical education teacher and athletic coach in the future. We know a bright future lies ahead of him and we are so proud to have him as part of the FP family.