Highlights of the Dedication Ceremony

     The day was crisp and cool.  The sun shining reflected brightly on the white stones at the Grand Trunk Veterans Memorial.  The fence surrounding the cemetery was bedecked with patriotic bunting.  Chairs were set up to accommodate the expected guests; descendants of the honoree, Joseph Merrill and Friends of the Grand Trunk Cemetery.  

     Samantha Allshouse and her mother, Lynda greeted guests as they arrived and handed them the ceremony program.  All who took the time to come seemed pleased to participate in this long awaited opportunity to honor this sixth Veteran of the War of 1812, and the Veteran whose headstone is finally erected in its rightful place within the memorial enclosure.

      The Dedication received wonderful coverage by the local TV stations, and two well written articles: by David Carkhuff in the Portland Daily, October 15, 2013 and by Ben McCanna in The Forecaster, October 16, 2013.  These are significant not only because they celebrate the Dedication event, but they raise the consciousness of Portland citizens and beyond to appreciate how important it is to take care of our historic cemeteries.  Though the Dedication ceremony is a milestone, it is not the end of our efforts to preserve the remnant that is the Grand Trunk Cemetery for future generations.

The Roots of the present lie deep

in the past,

and nothing in the past is dead

to the man who would learn

how the Present 

came to be what it is.

Prof. W. Stubbs

  When your children ask in time to come,

"What do these stones mean to you?"

then you shall tell them that....

"These stones shall be

a memorial forever...."

Joshua 4: 6a - 7