HOULTON, Maine — A flag that covered the casket of Private Chester L. Briggs of Houlton when he was killed in World War I has made its way home.
Stephen Briggs Pyne of Mansfield, Massachusetts, a nephew to Briggs, came to Houlton for Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony and presented the flag to Mike London, commander of the Chester L. Briggs American Legion Post No. 47.
“When my uncle was killed in World War I, this is the flag that was draped over his casket when he returned home,” Pyne said. “My mother — Beatrice Briggs Pyne — also said it was the same flag that laid on the casket for the service held at Houlton High School.”
The flag has been with Beatrice Briggs Pyne, who will turn 100 in August, for a number of years, but the family felt it belonged in Houlton.
“We thought the flag should come back here and be given to the Legion,” Pyne said. “We thought they would treasure it more than grandchildren or great-grandchildren. This is the best place for the flag.”
The presentation was made during Houlton’s Memorial Day service at Monument Park, with more than 200 people attending. At the park, London welcomed the crowd to the service and also noted the presence of Girl Scout Troop 731 and veterans from the Canadian Army, Navy and Air Force who participated in the service.
“We honor the memory of those who gave their lives in the service of our country and to those who have dropped their burdens to the wayside of life and gone to their eternal rest,” London said. “May the ceremony of today deepen the reverence for our departed friends and comrades. Let us renew our pledge of loyalty to this country and its flag. Let us resolve by word and deed to emphasize the privilege and duty of patriotism.”
Houlton Police Chief Tim DeLuca served as the guest speaker.
“Today is special to me as I have a rich history of family military service and my son currently serving,” DeLuca said. “We remember and honor the American soldiers or the ordinary men and women who died while in military service.”
DeLuca said the day should not be looked upon as a time of mourning, but instead should be a day of reverent celebration.
“Since 1948, Arlington National Cemetery has decorated each of its graves with our nation’s flag,” he said. “Thousand of service men and women plant the flags at the base of the gravestones in order to uplift the lives of those heroes.”
The Houlton High School band, along with support from McGill’s Community Band members, played a number of musical selections for the ceremony. Legion Chaplain Donald Ouellette opened and closed the service with prayers.
Earlier in the morning, a short service was held at Soldiers’ Hill at the Evergreen Cemetery on Smyrna Street, followed by a tossing of the wreath ceremony at the bridge over the Meduxnekeag River.
