Last week the Press Herald listed Portland’s Memorial Day parade to start at 2 p.m. at Longfellow School and proceeding on to Evergreen Cemetery. The first words spoken by the emcee were: “Welcome to the Deering Center Decoration Day ceremonies.” Not once during the ceremonies was the City of Portland mentioned, nor did I note any city official attend as a representative of the city.
I find the lack of attention city officials gave to Memorial Day offensive, and I am ashamed to say I live in Portland. No wreath laid by the city in Monument Square? When I mentioned this to a few folks, all of them seem surprised that no parade was held on Congress Street and that no wreath was laid at the monument.
This month the city will host the Pride parade and block off Congress Street from Monument Square to Congress Square and proceed on down to Deering Oaks where a daylong celebration will take place. Memorial Day is meant to honor all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy the freedoms so many of us take for granted.
City officials should be ashamed.
Daniel Milligan
Portland
Correction (June 6, 2023): A previous version of this letter suggested that the City of Portland decided not to host a Memorial Day parade this year. The Memorial Day parade in Portland has always been organized by the American Legion, not by the City. This year it was organized in partnership with the Deering Center Neighborhood Association.
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