CARIBOU, Maine — The Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Caribou will hold its annual flag raising event on Monday, May 14, in honor of deceased veterans.
NMVC Board Chairman Harry Hafford said on Monday that the event is open to the public, and set to begin at 11:00 a.m.. Veterans will raise 30 flags in honor of those who have fallen in battle: 29 for specific veterans and one for all deceased veterans.
Of the 29, Hafford said he is going to honor John Noble, who, with his wife Joyce, donated 33.4 acres of land for the 37 Lombard Road cemetery. Noble died in October last year. The ceremony also will honor the life of World War II veteran Don Collins, who died in March this year.
While many events held at the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery often feature several keynote speakers, Hafford said in this instance it is more or less kept “just for the veterans themselves.”
Hafford will be the main speaker, reading names of the veterans and where they served. Additionally, Father David Cote will give the benediction and invocation.
Vicki King will be joined by Caribou High School students in performing the National Anthem.
Hafford’s only advice for guests is to dress for the weather.
“Hopefully I’m wrong,” he said, “but dress warm.”
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- Unexpected snow did little to stop the May 16, 2016, flag raising ceremony at the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Caribou. A total of 29 flags were raised in honor of specific deceased veterans and one was flown in honor of all veterans who have passed. (Contributed file photo)
