The beautiful spring weather brought sun and warmth to traditional Memorial Day observances in Westbrook and Gorham this weekend. People marked the holiday by attending parades and memorial services honoring those who died in service to their country.
Beverly Barton, a member of the auxiliary at American Legion Post 62, said the Westbrook observance began on Sunday at the Westbrook Universalist Church with a roll call of residents who passed away during the past year. She said Mayor Bruce Chuluda and Bill Holmes, vice commander at Post 62, read the list of names.
On Monday, there were services at Veterans Rest and at the grave of Stephen W. Manchester, who was killed in World War I, in Woodlawn Cemetery. Laurent Chretien, a World War II veteran, served as grand marshal in the parade, which included a large contingent of veterans from the Stephen W. Manchester Post 62 and Westbrook Memorial Post 197
Following the parade, a ceremony was held in Riverbank Park where Junie Dugas sang “God Bless America.” Mark Gartley, a prisoner of war in Vietnam, read General Logan’s orders; Bob Barton read the Gettysburg Address and Rev. Carlyle Lewis of the Westbrook Universalist Church spoke along with Chuluda.
Pat Peoples, commander of Post 62, was the master of ceremonies and the Westbrook Police Department honor guard fired a salute. Coffee and doughnuts were served at Post 62 following the park ceremony.
George Gerrish, commander of Gorham Memorial Post 10879 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, was pleased with the turnout along parade routes in Gorham Village and Little Falls and at the Eastern and Hillside cemeteries. “There was a lot of applause during the parade,” Gerrish said.
The parade in Gorham Village formed on South Street and then swung on to Main Street en route to the Eastern Cemetery for a service. A throng gathered in the cemetery and a number of others stood in rows behind the cemetery fence along Johnson Road. The parade mustered again on Johnson Road and marched to South Street for a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in Phinney Park.
Following activities in Gorham Village, the parade regrouped at Mechanic Street and Route 202 in South Windham. Crossing the bridge between Windham and Gorham, the parade halted while a traditional wreath was placed in the Presumpscot River. The parade continued to Hillside Cemetery on Huston Road for a ceremony honoring all veterans.
Gerrish served as master of ceremonies at both park services. Rep. Chris Barstow welcomed the gatherings and thanked the veterans, as did Rev. Ralph Bedard, who served in the Air Force. Bedard paid a tribute to the veterans and asked for prayer for those wearing uniforms today.
Following the ceremonies, children and parents thanked the veterans for serving. Bedard, who recently retired as pastor at the Little Falls Baptist Church, spoke of his appreciation of the outpouring that attended the services, including a large contingent of scouts. “Those who came out to remember the veterans of the past and today,” Bedard said he would remember most about the services.
The Gorham High School Band, directed by Ray Mathieu, marched in both parades and played the National Anthem in each ceremony. Buglers from the band played taps and scouts laid wreaths at a monument in both cemeteries.
The observance featured local color guards from the Gorham Memorial Post, a variety of scouting groups, Gorham Fire Department and Gorham Police Department, which was led by Chief Ron Shepard, a Vietnam veteran.
Other parade units included police cruisers, fire trucks and a rescue vehicle.
At the cemeteries, a firing squad from Gorham Memorial Post saluted with three volleys. Gerrish gave the orders but one of the weapons misfired at Eastern Cemetery, causing a brief silence. Undaunted, Gerrish made up for the missing shot himself. “Bang,” he shouted before continuing.
Gerrish gave a history of the roles that Native Americans played in World War II, including one of the soldiers who raised the flag at Iwo Jima. Gerrish spoke of the valor of soldiers from various tribes.
He said Navajo code talkers, using their native spoken language, were instrumental in winning World War II. Theirs was the code the Japanese couldn’t break, Gerrish said.
Veterans representing World War II, Korea and Vietnam along with Sgt. Jennifer Beaumont, a Marine who served in Iraq, marched in Gorham.
“I’m happy with it,” Gerrish said following the Memorial Day observance in Gorham.
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