CARIBOU, Maine — Memorial Day was recognized in Caribou this year on May 27 with a parade downtown and a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Park. At that ceremony, members of various veterans’ organizations laid wreaths in honor of those who sacrificed their lives for the rights and freedoms of this country.
The Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery also held their 10th annual Memorial Day ceremony, featuring a Howitzer and 21-gun salute, along with guest speakers Phil Bosse of U.S. Senator Susan Collins’ office, Sharon Campbell of U.S. Senator Angus King’s office, Barbara Hayslett of U.S. Congressman Michael Michaud’s office, Joshua M. de Leon, director of Veterans Cemetery Grant Service, and Major General Earl Adams, U.S. Army Retired.
Reading comments from Senator King, Campbell summed up the meaning of Memorial Day.
“Today is about remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. Memorial Day began in 1868 as a day for the decoration of soldiers’ graves. Nearly 150 years later, the meaning of the holiday remains much the same. We gather to honor the memory of those who, as President Lincoln said, ‘gave their lives that the nation might live.’”
