MEXICO — Rollie Bousquet was surprised this week with the 2023 Spirit of America Award for his volunteer services on behalf of veterans.

Rollie Bousquet, right, is presented Tuesday with the 2023 Spirit of America Award by Mexico Selectman TJ Williams. Bousquet was honored for his volunteer services on behalf of veterans. Bruce Farrin/Rumford Falls Times

The Spirit of America Foundation Tribute is presented annually in the name of 100-plus Maine municipalities to recognize those who volunteer for their community, Chairman TJ Williams said before announcing Bousquet’s name at Tuesday’s board meeting.

“I deeply appreciate this,” Bousquet said. “I thank you so much for considering me. I’m humbled.”

He said his support of veterans stems from his military service.

“One of the things I’ve always been very fond of is veterans. The biggest reason for that is because when I served in the U.S. Navy, I never got a change to go active duty. I got an honorable medical discharge, and I never felt that I did my duty to go to Vietnam.

“Because of that, I always felt that I needed to do something for my country, and for the guys who fought so hard for us,” he said as he choked back tears.

After Bousquet’s variety store on Main Street was severely damaged by the 1987 flood, the renovated space was rented for small parties. Later, he opened it as The Paper Plate, a place for veterans and their families or friends to sit, have coffee, a muffin, or a meal at no cost.

“They could stay there for the whole day, if they chose to and play cards, music or whatever they wanted to do. The place was theirs for that day, the third Tuesday of every month,” Bousquet said. It ended after four or five years because of a lack of attendance.

Afterward, Bousquet decided to volunteer to transport veterans “wherever they needed to go, free of charge, just to say thank you for what they did.”

Besides veterans, he also thanked local firefighters and EMTs. “I try to do something for these people,” he said. “A little at a time, the best I can. Sometimes it’s just a box of candy, but it’s a thank you, and I think it’s appreciated.

“There’s not enough people in this world who know how to say thank you to other people for what they do,” he said.

Every Sept. 11 Bousquet stands in front of his Main Street residence waving a large American flag and collecting donations to support local veterans. He said it’s his way of hopefully impacting others with a positive thought on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001.