Why do we celebrate Memorial Day?
Charles Bray, 77, Gray
“Out of gratitude for our freedom and traditions.”
Patrick Lawler, 79, Raymond
“Respect for the dead. My grandson Johnathan from Otisfield is on his second tour in the gulf aboard the U.S.S. Ashland. I’ll be thinking of him on Memorial Day. But the one I’m really thinking of is another grandson Thomas in the Marines in Afghanistan. He had a buddy die in his arms on Mother’s Day.”
Mary Taylor, 67, Otisfield
“I know it’s a celebration of our veterans and for deceased loved ones, but it’s also my birthday. I tell my family not everybody celebrates their birthday with national parades, so I consider myself lucky.”
Ken Davis, 35, New Gloucester
“Having grown up in a military family, I’d have to say its purpose is to honor those who died in combat and the families of those who have died in combat.”
Patrick Balzano, 43, Otisfield
“Thoughts for our veterans, our loved ones. It’s basically a day of remembrance. Around that time, I go out and put flowers on a lot of my friends’ and relatives’ graves. And we have one helluva barbecue.”
Lynn Keenan, 30, Buxton
“My grandmother and grandfather were in World War II and it’s always been a big tradition in our family. My family goes camping in Maine on Memorial Day weekend. My grandfather started that tradition and it’s now in honor of him, to remember that he was there in the war.”
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