HOULTON, Maine — A number of communities will gather Monday, May 28, to remember those men and women who gave their lives serving their country.
Memorial Day or Decoration Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces, according to www.military.com. For others, Memorial Day is a time to remember deceased loved ones by planting flowers at gravesites.
Memorial Day is often confused with Veterans Day. Memorial Day is typically a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, whereas Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.
The following services will be held in the local area:
Houlton — The Chester L. Briggs Post 47 of the American Legion in Houlton will host several events in honor of Memorial Day. Starting at 9 a.m., veterans will gather at Soldiers’ Hill in the Evergreen Cemetery, located on Smyrna Street with welcoming remarks, a flag raising, opening prayer, laying of wreaths and 21-gun salute with taps.
At 10 a.m., participants will gather at the TD Bank parking lot on North Street, before marching to the bridge, where a wreath ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. to honor all servicemen and women lost at sea.
The parade will then continue to Monument Park, located on Broadway, for a service at 11 a.m. This year’s service will include musical selections from the Houlton High School band and chorus groups.
Patten — The parade begins at 10 a.m. starting on Mill Street/Station Street, going up Station Street, west onto Houlton Street, north on Main Street to the cemetery located on the North Road. A service will be held at the cemetery.
Oakfield — Veterans will gather at the town cemetery at 9 a.m. for a brief service and 21-gun salute before lining up for the Oakfield Memorial Day Parade. Sponsored by the American Legion Post No. 52, the parade will start at 10 a.m., beginning at the Oakfield Fire Department on Station Street. A wreath toss will take place at the bridge on the Ridge Road shortly after 10 a.m. The parade will continue along Ridge Road and River Road, where the Southern Aroostook Community School band will join at the Oakfield Community Center. The parade continues to the Veterans War Memorial at Four Corners (near the Bethel Pentecostal Church) for an 11 a.m. ceremony.
