WASHBURN, Maine — Washburn Boy Scout Troop 177 hosted a Veterans Day ceremony at the town’s Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday.
Scouts raised flags for each military branch. Following opening prayer by Scout Jack Tate, remembrance began with a trooping of the colors and everyone joining in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Larry Harrison, Scoutmaster and U.S. Air Force MSgt., retired, offered a message and thanked all who served.
A trio of Scouts laid a wreath at the memorial honoring all veterans of Washburn, Wade and Perham. They laid a second at the memorial to World War II veteran Edward Dahlgren, which was added in August.
Harrison asked all veterans present to come forward and receive a commemorative challenge coin to recognize their service. Scouts presented the tokens to Herman Belanger, Robert Hohman, Rodney Jones, Tom McIntyre, Paul Coy, Bud Umphrey, David McCarthy and Harrison.
McIntyre, who lives in Connecticut, comes back to Washburn every year for the Veterans Day ceremony, he said.
McCarthy was emotional as he held up an image of him and his brothers. He and two brothers served in World War II in the Navy, and another brother served in the Army.
“I miss my brothers,” he said.
Tate offered a closing prayer, and then Scout Damian DuMont played taps on the trumpet to end the ceremony.
