HOULTON, Maine — A time of paying respect for fallen war heroes who lay in consecrated ground, beneath the sea or to those who will be given up from their shrouded graves.
Memorial Day
Honor, tribute and loyalty … all facets enveloping a veteran.
From Danforth, Oakfield and Sherman to Houlton, veterans were remembered on Monday, May 31. As flags stood at attention in the breeze, so did the hearts of men and women who bravely served, who fought side-by-side with one who never came home, or those who sacrificed a child for liberty for all.
An opening ceremony was held at Soldier’s Hill, a place where crosses mark those whose remains were never recovered from war or those buried overseas. Wreaths were laid in appreciation for those sacrifices, as a gun salute from the Honor Guard rang in the background and a prayer of blessing for those who live the freedom another gave up. Then, the somber tone of the bugle playing “Taps” was a solemn reminder of why Memorial Day should be revered.
A parade was held after the cemetery gathering, with the American Legion Color Guard leading the procession from TDBank through Market Square. Joining the color guard were veterans, Boy Scouts and others marching, while member of the United Vets Motorcycle Club rode proudly in honor of the day.
The first stop of the parading group was at the North Street bridge where those who were lost to the sea were blessed with a prayer and a wreath was tossed into the Meduxnekeag River, as a symbol of honor and remembrance. As the wreath lay atop the running water, the firing squad blasted a salute from Gateway Pedestrian Bridge.
A time of commemoration and consecration marked the gathering at Monument Park.
Post 47 Chaplain Mike Boutout opened the park tribute with prayer, followed by the Houlton High School Band playing the Canadian and National anthems.
Then, Danica Welton, American Legion Auxiliary Department of Maine Junior president, spoke on “What It Means To Be A Veteran,” followed by words from Milton Bayliss, Post 47 first vice commander. Rick Goodwin, moderator, invited others who wanted to speak to come forward. From the crowd, Elden Bennett read a poem he had written last year on “A Veteran.”
Wreaths were then laid to honor veterans of Foreign War and the POWs/MIAs, with the bugle playing “Taps” and the Honor Guard’s gun salute.
To conclude the service, Boutout read another prayer, and the public was invited back to the American Legion Post 47 for a cookout. Wanda and David Jamison donated all the hotdogs and hamburgers for the event.
