Norman ‘Skip’ Maitland
Skip’s ‘Bucket List Dream
Norman ‘Skip’ Maitland:
Skip’s ‘Bucket List Dream’ begins…
One of the mottos of Bucket List Dreams (BLD) is “Bravo Zulu.” This is an old military term meaning ‘a job well done’. When people choose to serve others, it can be considered a job well done but it can also be a reflection of a life well done. We are proud to introduce you to Norman Maitland… here is his story.
Norm came to the attention of BLD when he was being recognized by Foundation 14. Foundation 14 is a non-profit and provides motorcycles to combat veterans. During the events which accompany the giving of a motorcycle, Foundation 14 also recognizes others who exemplify service and those serving the Veterans community. On that day, Norm was being recognized and his reaction to that recognition was stirring. Here is a humble man who served and who has lived a good life, but until this Foundation 14 event, no one had ever recognized his service and sacrifice. He was moved and very appreciative. We at BLD felt that Norm deserved even more. Thus, Norm will receive his Bucket List Dream. Below is what was learned at the Foundation 14 event:
Norman “Skip” Maitland served honorably for four years in the United States Navy from August 1967 until August 1970. During his tour, he was deployed to Vietnam for a combat tour from May 1969 to May 1970.
Petty Officer “Skip” served the United States Navy as a River Patrol Boat Engineer attached to River Division 593. Under the 593, Skip carried out 352 combat patrols in several operations and engaged with the enemy on 31 separate occasions.
He has been awarded two Navy Commendation medals with Distinguished Combat Device, with Valor for distinguishing himself in combat through his courage under fire as well as his devotion to his duty and his brothers in combat.
He has been awarded the Bronze Star with Distinguishing Combat Device for actions conducted on 2 August 1969. His patrol was scrambled to rescue an Army Recon Patrol that was engaged in combat and surrounded by approximately 60 enemy personnel. Skip kept himself in an exposed firing position while under heavy enemy machine gun fire. He provided cover fire for the entire operation until the Army Recon Patrol rescue was completed.
Skip and his wonderful and supporting wife, Mary, celebrated their 50th anniversary in May of 2021. Together they have raised a beautiful and caring daughter, Shelly Maitland, who they have forged into a strong and independent woman. Skip’s daughter, Shelly, has devoted her life to the help and care of motorcycle accident victims, and her business, Michigan Biker Law, has devoted much of their time and efforts to honoring veterans and their families when they find themselves in times of need.
Skip is a very passionate Warfighter, still to this day. The care he holds in his heart for his fellow Warfighters is evident through his documented actions to risk his own life for his fellow brothers in Vietnam and is felt by younger generations of Warfighters to whom he offers his ear and kind words of empathy.
Norman “Skip” Maitland is a living example of whate the word HONOR means what it means to us today… Thank You for Your Service Skip…
More details of Norm’s Bucket List Dream will follow as events unfold. Norm’s BLD ‘story’ will take place over the next several months, so please return in the future to learn more about the details as they happen. But in the short-term, please read the most recent posts.
Part One of Norm’s Bucket List Journey.
It is all too easy to get caught up in the negatives and neglect to see the positives in the human existence, and to fail to remember that there are truly generous, kind, and wonderful people in our world. Lloyd and Laurie Hilligoss are two of those people. Lloyd and Laurie have generously offered to sponsor Norm’s Bucket List Dream. We at BLD acknowledge their generosity and feel privileged to have them as BLD supporters.
In September Bruce Banning and Drew Cummings, members of the Board of Directors of BLD, met with Norm and his family at a restaurant. Norm’s daughter told him that a group of folks were getting together for conversation and dinner and that we had some Bucket List Beans coffees to give him. Norm and his wife, Mary, were totally surprised and shocked when they were told that BLD was sending them to Washington DC to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Norm admittedly states that he had never visited the wall, in part, because he has a difficult time even visiting the Moving Wall. He had indicated to his daughter that he has reached a point in his life that he feels he needs to make the pilgrimage. His daughter had earlier made the request that arrangements be made for Norm to make the trip. It was a wonderful evening but one thing that struck the Bucket List Dreams representatives was when he asked Norm how he would like to make the trip. Would he like to go with family, with other vets… maybe a buddy? Without hesitation Norm immediately turned to Mary and said, “I have to do this with my best friend… it can only be Mary.”
Part Two, Planning Meeting With Norm.
In October a planning session was held with Norm to start formulating the plan for Norm’s Bucket List Dream. The scope of Norm’s Bucket List Dream will include a trip to visit a PDR… the same type and class of boat that Norm served on. The Boat is a restoration that has been completed by Operation Black Sheep… visit them at operationblacksheep.org. Visit Norm’s story again for updates to Part Two.
UPDATE!
Unfortunately, Skip has not been able to complete his Bucket List Dream.
