Joining the Historic Past to the Present: Creating a New History

Here is the photo of Kayla Theriault and Samantha Allshouse
Taken May 22, 2011 at the 1st Tour of the Grand Trunk Cemetery
as their project to recover and restore dignity to the burial site
was introduced to the public.

    The ability to keep the project alive has continued through the efforts and commitment of the Friends of the Grand Trunk Cemetery and Portland Girl Scouts for eight years.  On Sunday, May 19, 2019, about forty Girl Scouts and their families and friends gathered for the work of raking leaves, picking up brush and the endless chards of glass, and planting over 250 annuals in the gardens.  

Some of the pansies and other annuals planted

     While the purpose of this blog is, in part, to relay the stories of the inhabitants of the cemetery as they can be found, it is also to convey to readers the events and continued efforts of those folks who are contributing toward the more recent history and events which demonstrate the continued interest in preserving this small, but significant historical site.

     They say, 'A picture is worth a thousand words.'

Even with her wounded leg, this little lady pitched in to help!

Thanks to 'Garbage to Garden' for the donation!

The contribution by Troop 1756 of mulch

     The Grand Trunk Cemetery was the honored site of the Machigonne Service Unit's  Multilevel Bridging Ceremony for twenty-one Girl Scouts, including graduating Senior, Claire Christopher who bridged to Adult Girl Scouts.  Claire and her mother Janet have participated in all of our Planting and Cleanup Parties over the years.  She will be attending the University of New Hampshire in the fall.  Congratulations to Claire and all the bridging Girl Scouts.

Claire Christopher

Claire and her mother, Janet Christopher

    It has been our custom since receiving government replacement markers for the Veterans we have identified, interred at the GTC,  to lay flags for them for Memorial Day.  Each year, Girl Scout Troops who are willing and able conduct a Flag Ceremony at the cemetery.  This year, the Girl Scouts of Troop 1756 conducted the ceremony with dignity and quiet reverence.  Here are photos to add to the historical register:

Procession

Laying flags for Simon Davis, Revolutionary War and Francis Smith, War of 1812

Saluting the Veterans at the Grand Trunk Veterans Memorial

The singing of "Taps"

Wreathes were placed to honor the Veterans

     Finally, I want to invite all who wish, to attend the ceremony of Remembrance and the Unveiling of the new interpretive Sign on June 21st, 2019 at 4 PM at the Grand Trunk Cemetery.  

     We are so pleased to receive this wonderful gift from the city of Portland through the advocacy of Joseph Dumais and the contributions of a number of "Friends of the Grand Trunk Cemetery."  

    The sign will help visitors to learn some of the history of the area and contains the surviving names of some of those interred here. 

 Many  thanks to you all, and to designer Jack Vreeland who will be there on June 21st to speak about the project.  

    Please consider joining us on June 21st.