Rain does not dampen spirits
HOULTON, Maine — In a lingering rain, a crowd of approximately 40 people attended Memorial Day services in Houlton on Monday.
A small parade of military veterans and representatives from veterans organizations, military vehicles, representatives from various law enforcement branches and local Scouting organizations participated in the parade that snaked up Main Street and into Monument Park.
Jane Torres, executive director of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce, spoke to the crowd about the meaning of Memorial Day.
“We all have a story,” said Torres. “We all have someone to remember, someone who died or who made it back but did not quite forget.”
Houlton Police Chief Joe McKenna urged citizens to keep their “thoughts overseas to people still fighting and dying for us.”
Town Manager Butch Asselin read the oath that soldiers take before joining the military.
“Soldiers bear true faith to allegiance of that,” he said.
Asselin urged the crowd to remember those who “gave their lives so we can live in freedom.”
Molly Mitchell said on Monday that she came to Memorial Day services in honor of her grandfather who served in World War II and died about 30 years ago.
“He always came to the parade and the ceremony in the park each year and he always said it was important to remember,” she said.
