Memorial Day 2018

Thanks to Cheryl Willis Patten for posting this photograph.  Although neither of us know the origin of the photo, it  appropriately speaks to the true meaning and significance  of Memorial Day as a day of rememberance of all those, who, from the beginning of our history as a nation, served to preserve and defend our liberty.  
All gave, some gave all!

      I read with interest several articles about the origin of our Memorial Day and will include links for those of you who may wish to read them yourselves:

http.//content.time.com/time/nation.article/0,8599,1900454,00.htm,

http.//www.usmemorialday.org/?page_id=2,
https:www.readthespirit.com/explore/the-first-memorial-day-may-1-1865-reported-in-the-charleston

     No matter, what the town of origin for the first celebration, or the actual date, or whether we think of Memorial Day as the unofficial start of the summer season. observing it with picnics or barbecues, family outings or, simply a three day holiday from work and relaxation, the true meaning of the day is sacred.  It is meant to be a day of rememberance and an opportunity to honor those who served in our miltary, and especially those who paid the ultimate price for the liberties we enjoy today.  For many families across the nation, it has also become a day for decorating the graves of loved ones who have passed on.

     At the East Deering/Grand Trunk Cemetery, on Wednesday of this week, a small group gathered to decorate the graves of our interred Veterans and to repeat their names.  I have heard that by saying the names of the dead out loud, they will be remembered always.  I hope so.

PVT. SAMUEL BLAKE:  WAR OF 1812

BORN:  1794, DIED:  1846

PVT. WILLIAM BLAKE:  WAR OF 1812

BORN:  1774, DIED:  1853

PVT. SIMON DAVIS:  REVOLUTIONARY WAR

BORN:  1766, DIED:  1810

PVT. ANDREW GRAVES:  WAR OF 1812

BORN:  1774, DIED:  1860

LEUT. CRISPUS GRAVES, REVOLUTIONARY WAR

BORN:  1742, DIED:  1818

PVT. JOSEPH LUNT, REVOLUTIONARY WAR

BORN:  1757, DIED:  1804

PVT. JOSEPH MERRILL, WAR OF 1812

BORN:  1754, DIED:  1823

PVT. JAMES MOSELEY, US CIVIL WAR

BORN:  1836, DIED:  1892

PVT. JOHN SAWYER, JR., REVOLUTIONARY WAR

WAR OF 1812

BORN:  1760, DIED:  1842

PVT. JOSEPH M. SAWYER, WAR OF 1812

BORN:  1797, DIED:  1876

PVT. WILLIAM SAWYER, WAR OF 1812

BORN:  1763, DIED:  1825

PVT. FRANCIS SMITH, WAR OF 1812

BORN:  1791, DIED:  1840

    
     Although none of these men died in battle, we remember them for their service and contribution to the history of the city of Portland, the state of Maine and to the Nation.  The names were read aloud, flags placed and wreaths presented and finally, all recited the verses of 'Taps'. 

   Many thanks to the Girl Scouts of Troop 1547 and their Leaders Stacie Partin Hanscom and Mary Beth Lapin, along with our friend Lynda Allshouse for participating in this brief and meaningful ceremony.

Wreath at the graves of Francis Smith and Simon Davis

Wreath at the Grand Trunk Cemetery Veterans Memorial.

Going to a Party.....at the Cemetery

Reflecting.....

     Sunday, May 6th, 2018, was a day, not unlike today here in Portland, Maine.  It's over-cast with the possibility of showers.  Actually, when I left my house on Melbourne Street, van packed with three portable tables, a dozen rakes, rolls of garden bags, work gloves, water bottles and snacks for the workers, and sundrie other items, it was raining lightly.  I was hoping people would show up and not be discouraged by a few raindrops.  The nine young Junior Girl Scouts had spent many hours planning, preparing and encouraging people to participate in this annual Spring Cleanup at the Grand Trunk Cemetery.

     They would not be disappointed!  About twenty-five children, parents, grandparents, and old 'Friends of the Grand Trunk Cemetery' did come to work, share stories, re-unite, and play.  I borrowed the title of this post from a short article by Jennifer Fulwiler:

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/ennifer-fulwiler/going-to-a-party,,,,at-the-cmetery

I think one of the biggest benefits of these events,.....is the way they give you a sense of comfort about the cycle of life.  There's a palpable sense of connectedness among both the living and the dead.  Those of us still living are connected to one another, and we are connected to those who have passed, just as those who have passed were connected to one another, and to those who died before them.  We recognize names scrawled on name- tags, just as we recognize names carefully chisled on tombstones, and there is a feeling that we're surrounded by loved ones, both those alive on earth, and those alive on the other side.

     Since the very beginning of this project to recover, the remnant of this ancient brial ground, there has always been a sense of celebration; we refer to our fall Planting events as a parties  There has always been a joyous atmosphere and a sense of commaradery while working together for the common purpose of honoring the dead.  

     All of this was so evident this past Sunday with the activities, the hard work, the re-uniting of descendants of those interred here, and the educating of the young who will, hopefully continue to see the importance and value, of caring for our ancient cemeteries.  I'll let the pictures tell the story.

Ben and Norma Sawyer, descendants of Anthony Sawyer, grandson of the first Sawyer, Isaax Sawyer, Sr. who settled here in 1725

MaryAnne Wallace and Lynda Allshouse among the daffodils.

Kayla Theriault began this project in 2010, and continues to support the work at the cemetery

The tables set up in the field with crafts.

Mother and Daughter at the Bake Sale table to raise funds toward the new Cemetery sign.

The old Hoop and Stick game

You've got it, Grandfather!

Engaged in the Historical Scavenger Hunt

Janet Christopher, Machigonne Service Unit Manager has been a great supporter
 from the very start!

It takes team work!

Norma and Ben Sawyer have come out to support every event..

These two Brownie Girl Scouts learned a bit of cemetery history.

A supportive brother and a willing son:  thanks to young Mr. Hanscom!

The girls gather around to recive my thanks for a job well done!

Kayla shares her Girl Scout experiences.

The painted stones are a welcome addition.

Many 'Thanks" to Lilly Denis, Caitlin Rohde, Nora Hansom, Estelle Jones,Sophia Scola, Lindsey Bickford (not in pic),Ally Brady, JoJo Philbrook, Hadleigh McPartlan, and their Leaders:  Staci Hansom and Cheryl Denis.

     Many thanks to all who participated in the Annual Spring Cleanup Party.  This was a wonderful celebration of the living among the souls of those who died long ago in Portland and the East Deering Community.  For those of you who follow this blog, I hope when you are in Portland, you will take a little time to visit the cemetery behind the Presumppscot School.  Enjoy the gardens, sit for a moment and reflect in the quiet and peace of the burial 
site.

There was a bit of giggling from the girls when they read my shirt. 
They thought it read: "I see Dead People"

 An Addition

     I wanted to include the histrical scavenger hunt which the girl conducted for participants.  Thought it might be of interest to folks who might like to visit the cemetery this summer.  Although, for the time being, we've removed the small flags in favor of the traditional graveside flags for Memorial Day, a careful following of the hints, might be helpful and fun.