Maurice Pelletier of Augusta was among those honored at the State House Wednesday for his induction into the Franco-American Hall of Fame.

Pelletier, 75, has been a member of Le Club Calumet in Augusta for 48 years, was one of the founding members of the Friends for a Heritage Center at Mill Park and spent 28 years working at the VA Maine Health Care Systems-Togus, where he was a benefit adviser. After retirement, he worked part time as a volunteer driver coordinator for the Disabled American Veterans and currently volunteers at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta.

Maurice Pelletier of Augusta was one of five inductees into the Pantheon des Franco Americains, or Franco-American Hall of Fame, during Franco-American Day events on Wednesday in the State House Hall of Flags.
Maurice Pelletier of Augusta was one of five inductees into the Pantheon des Franco Americains, or Franco-American Hall of Fame, during Franco-American Day events on Wednesday in the State House Hall of Flags. Staff photo by Joe Phelan
Maurice Pelletier of Augusta wears a pin that shows he was one of five new inductees into the Pantheon des Franco Americains, or Franco-American Hall of Fame, during Franco-American Day events on Wednesday in the State House Hall of Flags.
Maurice Pelletier of Augusta wears a pin that shows he was one of five new inductees into the Pantheon des Franco Americains, or Franco-American Hall of Fame, during Franco-American Day events on Wednesday in the State House Hall of Flags. Staff photo by Joe Phelan
Women dance as Le Bijou Folk Orchestra performs during Franco-American Day events on Wednesday in the State House Hall of Flags. The Franco-American War Veterans Honor Guard presented the colors at the start of House and Senate sessions. Five people were also inducted into Maine’s Franco-American Hall of Fame.
Women dance as Le Bijou Folk Orchestra performs during Franco-American Day events on Wednesday in the State House Hall of Flags. The Franco-American War Veterans Honor Guard presented the colors at the start of House and Senate sessions. Five people were also inducted into Maine’s Franco-American Hall of Fame. Staff photo by Joe Phelan

Pelletier also is a member of St. Michael Parish in Augusta.

Also inducted into the hall of fame, officially the Pantheon des Franco Americains, were Don Cyr of Aroostook County, Doris Belisle-Bonneau of Androscoggin County, George Lamontagne of York County, Joseph Cyr of Penobscot County and Roland Ouellete, who was nominated posthumously.

Rep. Matt Pouliot, R-Augusta, served as House speaker during the day’s events.

“I’m humbled to serve as speaker pro tem in honor of such an important day,” Pouliot said in a press release issued by Democrats and Republicans. “My hope is that people across Maine will take the time to learn more about our state’s rich Franco-American heritage and how it has helped to shape Maine.”

This is the 14th year state lawmakers have set aside a day for special recognition for Franco-Americans.

“Franco-American Day is a wonderful tradition at the State House,” said Rep. John Martin, D-Eagle Lake, the House chairman of the Franco-American Caucus. “We are very pleased that so many Mainers joined us in this joyful celebration. It gives us all — whether we’re of French descent or not — a chance to recognize the contributions of Franco-Americans to Maine’s rich cultural heritage.”

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