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Free skiing: Veterans’ event draws dozens to Lost Valley

February 10, 2019

AUBURN — The inaugural Vets in the Valley event at Lost Valley attracted dozens of veterans and active-duty service people and their families who were offered free lift tickets and ski rentals.

They also were given a chance to connect with an array of resources including employment opportunities and mental health supports.

"We got people outside, and that's what it's all about," said John Herrick, general manager of Lost Valley, who planned the event and is himself a veteran of 29 years in the U.S. Air Force.

The event was part of the ski area's broader effort to be a community hub and to give back to groups including veterans and nonprofit organizations. Herrick said Lost Valley specializes in being a place where adults and children learn how to ski and it is in a phase of regaining a positive appeal across the community.

"There are 19 volunteer organizations here today, so the point is to not only get veterans in tune with the volunteer organizations but also the general public, how they can help," Herrick said, noting that many veterans came out to ski, but the crowd was mainly made up of regular customers.

"I just wanted to come out, have a good time, and show some support," said Dalton Marshall, 19, of Newport, who is in the National Guard and is preparing to go to flight school.

U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, stopped by to lend his support.

"It's not just the skiing," Golden said. "It's connecting Veterans with resources on a Saturday afternoon that they might not be able to access during the week when they're working a busy schedule. That's what makes this kind of thing important."

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