Great food and great times.

 I was very young (barely 18) when I visited Joe from Maine.   I do recall almost every GI who went off base and into town always made a stop at Joe's.  I remember the food was great...other than the cafeteria on base, it was probably the only place where you got something to eat that was  "American food"!   If you got a little "homesick" Joe's was the place to be...I can still hear the music playing...songs of the mid 60's..like "These Boots are Made for Walkin" by Nancy Sinatra...the Mamas and the Papas! "The Rising Sun"...   The  short 16 months I spent at CHAS was an incredible experience and Joe's restaurant/bar is a memory I will never forget!... I wish I had been able to have had more time at CHAS before moving to High Wycombe. All my best wishes and a special "thank you" to Joe and Janine

Hi to Joe from Maine. Have been to your place several times. I was originally from Saint Paul Minnesota.

I now live in Denver, Colorado but my home back then was Lynn, Mass.  so it was great to find somebody from back home in that far away place.  Always enjoyed myself at Joe's.   It was a little touch of home.

As a young man from Pittsburgh, PA, my remembrance is that "Joe From Maine" was a beacon for Americans in an outpost in the middle of an unfamiliar culture.  I will always cherish those memories I have of him from my time in Chateauroux.

Loved the food but enjoyed the hospitality even more. Thanx!!

 Joe-- My brother and I thank you.

Didn't know Joe but from what I hear, he was (is) a nice man.

Dear Mr. Gagne. I was stationed in Chateauroux from 1958-early 1960 with the 1992 AACS Sq.  Your establishment was a welcome reprise from the military routine----and I dated a young lady who worked at your bar for a short time. Timeframe, unknown--too many things were happening during that time of my life. I sincerely enjoyed meeting friends there, and I still quote the sign you had over the door, "Free Beer Tomorrow."   Hope life has treated you well and regret not being able to attend the "reunion." God speed!

CMS Donald E. Grenier, USAF (Ret)
HQ 3130th AB Group
Jun 55- Mar 58
St. Albans, Vermont 

To Joe and His wife.   Sure do miss your good Chili and Panther Pils beer.  I did say Pils didn't I?  Good luck to you both.

Note to Joe....I remember best the hamburgers, the chili and the "Cave" where I spent many nice evenings and the kindness of you and your wife. I also remember the "57 Chevy you brought back after a visit to the states. The best thing is I used to be able to take my girlfriend to Joe's, not an easy thing to find a place that you could take an American girl in 1959 and 1960. I found that same girl 45 years later and we are now married and living in Boise...Congrats to Joe and Janine...wish we could be there...

As soon as I got this e-mail I forwarded the following note to Dave Brackenridge with the following message - 'I remember Joe personally kicking me out for singing 'We got to get out of this place' in the bar.  (song by the Animals).  Dave responded 'I remember us singing that song like it was yesterday and Joe kicking us out for it.'  We stayed out for about a week, then went back to the bar and promised to not sing that song again in the bar.  Joe welcomed us back with open arms!!  Please pass this on to Joe to see if he remembers this.  We loved his bar and Joe was always happy to see us. 

Joe, How could a man such as you, still be the # 1 subject of old Chateauroux stories? It's easy, for back then, you knew us GI's better than we knew ourselves and in your tolerant style, you gave us space, freedom, advice when asked and the benefit of the doubt as we enjoyed great times downstairs. You were the best resource and friend a GI ever could have downtown. Thanks for providing that place so far away from home and for being such an unforgettable guy. Here's a big hug and lots of love to a man I admire. All the best, John Doyle

Joe, 
My name is Rod Manning & I was a SSgt with the 3130th Air Police Squadron.  I worked Town & Highway Patrol with my partner, Darryl Delanoy, for those three years & we were in Joe From Maine's at least a couple of times each 8 hour tour of duty checking on folks who might have had a few too many.  Also remember Jimmy's Club, The Frog Pond, & a few others.  I especially remember your great chili and being able to wash it down with a cold Amstel when we were off duty.  I also remember that you had a .22 caliber rifle with a silencer that you loaned us on a few occasions so my partner & I could pick off a few rabbits during those dull midnight shifts. I retired from the USAF in 1974 & went to work as a state investigator in Alabama.  Retired from that job in 95.   My wife & I were in France on vacation two years ago & visited Chateauroux for a few days.   What great memories that trip brought back!!  I hope you have a great Reunion Celebration - wish I could be there to help you celebrate.
My very best to you & yours.  Warmest Regards, Rod Manning

Glad and surprised to hear that Joe is still in Chateauroux after all these years.  I was assigned to the 3130th Air Police Sqdn from 1958 to 1960 as an A/1C.  My late wife, Rosemarie, accompanied me during my tour.  We lived on the economy the entire time. On occasion when one of the SSgt's was given an extra day off, I pulled both Town Patrol and Highway Patrol.  Joe from Maines place was never a problem for us.  My wife and I ate there several times a month as it was the only place that served chili in town.  It may not have been the greatest but it was the best available.  Neither one of us were familiar with Melba Toast, which Joe used in place of crackers.  It all went good with a Kronenburg to wash it down with.  I was surprised to hear that Joe was still living in Chateauroux after all this time.  I wish him well.

Joe, You made my tour of duty enjoyable because you gave me a little bit of home. The ham sandwiches were the best. Bob "Goose" Siragusa

Didn't spend much time at the bars in Chas but I constantly heard the other boys talk about "Joe from Main" if was kind of a byword among us young and often homesick boys.  I appreciate all he did to show friendliness to the boys.

Thanks for the good time, Joe!

I'm certain [you] would not remember me, however, [your] wife would. She often had to kick me out at closing. I saw [your] grand daughter when I was there in 1988. Sorry I can't make it this time But who knows what the future might bring? I hope all of you have a grand time and there will be photos to look at later. Take care and God bless everyone.

I remember Joe from Maine..I was a scared 18 year old who had never been out of Michigan..Joe from Maine always a touch of home, always the first (and last) stop in town, always like Cheers (where everybody knew your name) and always with that pesky little kid hanging around the GIs (who later became the actor Gerard Depardieu).  Joe had the knack to speak to you as though you were the most important person in the room.  I may have been the 5000th GI he talked to at his bar..but I always felt as though I were the first...nobody..but nobody...got so jaded during their stay there... that they didn't sigh and say...this is as close to home as I will get for the next three years. 

Joe -  I was really happy to hear that you will be honored on the 40th year after the US Air Force left Chateauroux.  I had lived in Bangor and Westbrook, Maine growing up and enjoyed our many conversations, your great food, and the nights in the "cave" with friends. In June 1970 I went to LeMans with a friend and visited Chateauroux to show my friend some of the places I had spent my most enjoyable times while in France.  I had heard that you had moved to the States and was surprised to see your business was still open.  You welcomed me as if I had only been gone for a couple of weeks and brought me up to date on everything that had been happening.  I never think of my time in France without pleasant thoughts of you and your family.  I wish I could be there for the reunion visit and your recognition.  With warm regards, Bob Bemis  

 Hi Joe, The cave - the cave! Oh! thanks for the many slow dances to Ray Charles in your cave.

Hello from Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes, etc. Fall is here, trees are changing. I had a great 3 years in France.

Marshall Katz, CMS (E-9), USAF Retired
7322nd Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (CAMS)
Camp Hill, PA CHAS 65-66
I was very happy to see a photo of [you] on the website. You were a true friend to all G.I.s stationed at Chateauroux and are fondly remembered by all of us. My regards and best wishes.

Dear Joe, Thank you for contributing to the many fond memories of my days in Chateauroux. Spent many evenings in your club with lots of good times. Joe From Maine's always shared a feeling of home even though we were so far away ... and that was greatly appreciated by so many of us young GIs!  I wish you and your family all the best of good health and happiness in the years to come.   Warm regards.  

Hi Joe,

I am sorry I can't make it.  I sure would like to see you again.  I don't know if you even remember me.  It's been over 40 years.  I am very glad you are still alive and kicking.  Dave Back and I used to hang out in your place just about ever night.  When the bus passed Deols going back to the States, I cried like a baby.  Well, I better close before I keep on rambling.  God bless you and your family and may you live to 100+.  Your friend, Bill Law

Don told me all the stories of him and his buddies that would go to "Joe From Maine" for "hamburgers" and the camaraderie. Your place was much needed for the GI's at that time. When we were in France in 1992 we went straight away to "Joe from Maine." Don spoke with your daughter and asked about you.  Don told her of his wonderful memories of bring there.

Dear Joe,   My parents (who have both since passed away) would share such great stories of their time spent at Joe's.  As I remember them saying....it was home away from home. I know that it made there stay in France that much better.  Heck not only the best hamburgers, but the conversations they shared with everyone that would "hang" at Joe's.  Thank you for giving such wonderful memories!  

Jack Russell (wife Jackie-Dependent from CHAD)
7373^rd Food Service Squadron
April 1964-March 1967
Corinth, Texas

Joe,  So sorry that Jackie and I couldn’t be there.  We visited in 2001 on July 4^th at a party at Mike’s house.  It was a great time.  I will never forget your Bar/Restaurant while stationed there.  The best to you always.  Jack & Jackie Russell

Hamburgers and Milk Shakes like home. I ate there many, many times.  Thanks Joe, for a touch of home.

Cher Joe et Janine, Mille félicitations..... C'était un vrai plaisir de me distraire à votre restaurant. Je ne pouvais pas comprendre cette belle langue à ce temps là mais maintenant après une vie d'études et conversations (mon amie française était ma voisine) , je peux le faire. Peut-être , à l'avenir, je puisse visiter et retrouver ces jours de jeunesse. Bonne chance à vous et aux vôtres.

Thanks for a touch of home in such a great setting!  Vous remercier si beaucoup !

I live in Four Oaks, North Carolina but was originally from Blair, Wisconsin. Been here longer than anywhere else so I guess I will stay.  Joe From Maine, what a great place to go for burgers and chili.  Joe also put some pickles with the burger.  I loved those pickles and have never found any others that tasted quite like them, I wish I had that recipe.  Thank you Joe and Janine for the best place to have a nice time and good food and I do remember going in on some slow days and having some great conversation with Joe.  What a great memory I have of you and Janine. 

I frequently visited "Joe from  Maine" and have very fond memories.  I met Joe when I first arrived in France.  I am sorry that I cannot meet him again but wish him all the best in the years ahead.  He was a part of my memories of  Chateauroux and I will never forget "Joe from Maine".

I worked in Finance mainly with Military Payrolls and Travel Vouchers.  During May 1985, I visited Joe , however, he was not there that day.  His Daughter and Granddaughter had just arrived from the US (Albany, Ga.) to manage the business.  Of course , I had a hamburger and chili just as I had done over thirty years earlier.  We discussed old times until I had to catch the train back to Paris.     During September 2006, my wife and I toured Europe in a Volvo that I bought in Lexington, KY with foreign delivery at their factory in Gothenburg, Sweden. We visited ten countries and drove 2,300 miles winding up the trip in Nice. We arrived in Chateauroux on Sunday and because Joe was closed on Sunday and Monday, we did not get to visit because of our tight time schedule.    Please give Joe and his family my regards.  

Joe:  Thanks always for your kindness and generous hospitality in those years when many of us were far distant from our homes and families for
the first time. I often say that I have nothing but happy memories from my time in Chateauroux. You and your restaurant/bar are an important part of my collected memories. Thanks again, Joe.  “Happy memories.” Yes, apart from occasional all-night guard duty at the Deols airfield, when I was expected to defend Western Civilization against the Soviet menace with nothing but an M-1 carbine WITHOUT ammunition! 

Joe I remember the first bowl of chili you served.  I had one of the first ones, and later supplied Chili powder.    God Bless  and thanks for the place away from home.