Isaac Brownell, 2, holds an American flag and clutches candy tossed to him on May 30, 2022, during the Memorial Day parade in Skowhegan. The boy watched the parade with his sister Alice, 4, and uncle, Doug Frati. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel
Here is a partial list of Memorial Day-related events in the central Maine region this holiday weekend.
AUGUSTA
VA Maine Healthcare System plans to hold an event for women veterans Saturday, May 20, and a Memorial Day ceremony Monday, May 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Togus VA Medical Center, 1 VA Center (gazebo outside of Building 207), in Augusta. The Memorial Day ceremony will run from 8-9 a.m. VA Maine Healthcare System will hold its annual Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony at the Togus National Cemeteries.
Also, the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery Association plans to hold Memorial Day ceremonies at 10 a.m. Monday, May 29, at the Maine Veterans’ Cemetery on Civic Center Drive. All are invited; those who plan to attend are encouraged to bring their own chair.
CHESTERVILLE
At 10 a.m., residents and friends will walk from the Dave Archer Town Office, 409 Dutch Gap Road, to the Meeting House on Borough Road.
Upon arrival at the Meeting House, there will be a tribute to those who have died while serving in the United States military.
At 10:59 a.m. there will be a moment of silence, after which the church bell will be rung at 11 a.m.
The Lincoln County Historical Association plans to hold its 69th commemoration of Memorial Day at the Pownalborough Court House on Monday, May 29. The gathering will be called together at 11 a.m. at 23 Courthouse Road.
GREENWOOD
Flagging will take place at Greenwood cemeteries containing veteran graves the week preceding Memorial Day, Monday, May 29. At 9 a.m. Memorial Day, the doors will open at Jackson-Silver Post, 595 Gore Road in Greenwood, and ceremonies will be held in the Great Hall. The Mahoosuc Band will supply the musical selections.
FAYETTE/JAY AREA
Jay VFW Post 3335, American Veterans Post 33, American Legion Post 10, and their auxiliaries will have members participating in these time-honored recognitions:
• Leeds War Memorial, 7 a.m., Route 106 and Church Hill Road
• Fayette War Memorial, 7:35 a.m., Route 17, 2589 Main St.
• Livermore Falls Union Park, 8:05 a.m., corner of Park and Unions streets.
• Jay War Memorial, 8:25 a.m., Chisholm Square, Route 4 and Jewel Street, in front of St. Rose Church.
• Livermore Falls Memorial Bridge, 8:40 a.m., Route 4
• Livermore Brettuns War Memorial, 9:05 a.m., Route 4, Federal Road and Church Street.
KINGFIELD
At 9 a.m. American Legion Post No. 61 Norton-Wuori will be conducting a ceremony hosted by Post Cmdr. Roger Meldrum. It will feature the Table Set for One, a Battlefield Cross, special guest speakers and a full gun-firing salute to the fallen.
GARDINER
Parade starts at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 29, beginning at the Gardiner Armory on Brunswick Avenue and proceeding down Brunswick Avenue to the Gardiner Commons. It is being hosted by the American Legion Post No. 4 and Elks Lodge No. 1293. Guest speaker will be Gardiner Mayor Patricia Hart.
FAIRFIELD
Parade starts at 11 a.m. Monday, May 29, beginning at 61 Water St. and heading to Main Street, Western Avenue, Maplewood Cemetery, and ending at Monument Park. A luncheon hosted by Grover-Hinckley American Legion immediately follows the parade.
FARMINGTON
At 9:30 a.m. a brief service will be held at World War I Memorial Arch, North Main Street. Legionnaires and the public will then proceed to Meetinghouse Park, across from the courthouse.
At 10 a.m. the service there will include comments from Roderick-Crosby American Legion Post 28 Cmdr. Stephan Bunker and placement of wreaths at the Civil War, World War II and Modern Wars memorials in the park.
At 10:30 a.m. Legion officers will place a wreath at the post on the corner of High and Middle streets.
HALLOWELL
The Goodrich-Caldwell American Legion Post plans to conduct a Memorial Day service at 10 a.m. Monday, May 29, at the North End of the Hallowell Cemetery. Following the ceremony, all are invited back to the Post home at 114 Second St. for social exchange and refreshments.
MADISON AREA
The Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Post No. 39 in Madison plans to hold Memorial Day observance ceremonies Monday, May 29, with guest speaker state Sen. Brad Farrin.
The approximate times are 9 a.m. at Starks Town Office, 57 Anson Road; 9:30 a.m. at Anson Town Office, 5 Kennebec St.; 10 a.m. at Madison Public Library, 12 Old Point Ave.; 10:30 a.m. at the U.S./Canadian Monument at Forest Hills Cemetery, 229 Upper Park St., Madison; and 11 a.m. at Joseph Quirion Monument, East Madison Road, East Madison.
OAKLAND
Oakland American Legion Post 51 plans to hold a Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 29. Participants will line up at the Williams Junior High School, 55 Pleasant St. The parade will start at noon and will proceed to the intersection and up Main Street to Church Street.
SIDNEY
Sidney’s Memorial Day Parade Committee is set to hold a parade and program starting at 10 a.m. Monday, May 29. Parade participants will assemble on Transfer Station Drive starting at 9:30 a.m. From there the parade will travel one-fifth of a mile to the memorial site by the town office on the Middle Road.
SKOWHEGAN
Memorial Day Parade Committee is set to hold a parade and program starting at 10 a.m. Monday, May 29. The parade will begin on Dyer Street and then travel down Madison Avenue to Water Street. It will conclude at Veteran Memorial Park, next to the Skowhegan municipal building, where a ceremony will be held.
UNITY
Benjamin Berry Post 50 will hold its Memorial Day parade beginning at 9 a.m. at Unity Elementary School on School Street. The parade will proceed to Pond Cemetery on Kanokolus Road where it will turn and then return to the school. Those participating in the parade should plan on gathering at the school by 8:30 a.m.
Wayne’s annual parade starts at 11 a.m. from the Wayne Community Church parking lot, 22 Old Winthrop Road. From 10:30-10:45 a.m., veterans, musicians, boys, girls, scouts, and anyone with a focus on honoring veterans should assemble at the Wayne Community Church’s parking lot.
WELD
At 1:30 p.m. participants will march from the town hall on School Street to the Weld Public Library on Route 142. Sean Minear, Weld Historical Society president, is organizing the program which will be similar to those held in previous years.
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