Overview

""...well researched, and really tells the story of how instrumental Aroostook County and it's people were, to the preservation of peace and our way of life during the Cold War years. The photographs alone in this book are a treasure, and these images will help to preserve what were once mighty installations that are now rapidly crumbling away, and will soon be only distant memories."" - John C. Garbinski, MSgt, USAF (Ret) The end of World War II set the stage for an accumulation of arms that would rival even the most vivid imagination as the United States tried to maintain a period of operational readiness matching rival nation, communist Russia. The impact of this decades-long arms race was most noticeable in places like Aroostook County, Maine, where the town of Limestone was noted only for its rural surroundings. In 1950, Limestone's population was 2,427 before growing 439% in the following decade, swelling to 13,102 by the end of 1960. With its proximity to Europe, this spot was selected for its strategic location as weapons were poised to strike at the Soviet Union, hidden in backyards and among the potato fields, while armed bombers were maintained in a state of operational readiness 24/7 at Loring Air Force Base in Limestone. The impressive buildup seemed headed to an inevitable war, but in the 1990s, the Cold War ended, arms were dismantled, and Loring Air Force Base was closed; by 2020, the population in Limestone had fallen to 1,526. This book explores this incredible era, the rise and fall of the nuclear weapons stockpile in Aroostook County, and its impact to Northern Maine.

Full Product Details

9781634995122

Table of Contents

Reviews

""...well researched, and really tells the story of how instrumental Aroostook County and it's people were, to the preservation of peace and our way of life during the Cold War years. The photographs alone in this book are a treasure, and these images will help to preserve what were once mighty installations that are now rapidly crumbling away, and will soon be only distant memories.""--John C. Garbinski, MSgt, USAF (Ret)

Author Information

Arend Thibodeau resides in Maine with his wife and has been a professional photographer since 1996. His photography has won awards in galleries as far away as Athens, Greece, and he has been published in multiple genres ranging from wildlife to portraiture. In pursuit of his passion for writing, Arend attended the University of Maine where he earned dual degrees in art and English literature. While attending the university, Arend was published with his poetry, non-fiction, and academic writing before graduating summa cum laude. When not working in the field or writing, Arend enjoys teaching photography and exploring unique places.

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