MEMORIAL DAY 2021

     It is Monday, May 31st, Memorial Day in the year 2021.  Although we are in better shape as a nation and state than we were last year, because of Covid 19, we are still unable to commemorate  the day in our customary manner with parades, speeches, and formal services.  I thought I would share through photographs, some of the present and past events.

     This morning, a small but dedicated group of Portlanders, a number who were Veterans, gathered in Monument Square at the Our Lady of Victory statue to witness the one retired soldier process down Congress Street carrying the colors.  The Commander of the Andrews Post laid the wreath.  Taps was played and salutes were made; a poignant moment for all gathered.

     It has been eleven years since the project to reclaim the Presumpscot/Grand Trunk Cemetery was begun,  and from that time, some community members made sure that the cemetery's inhabitants who were members of the military were honored with the laying of flags for Memorial Day.  Although, none died in combat, as far as we know, we continue to honor their service from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and our one known veteran of the Civil War.

     We know there were at least 197 burials that took place from about 1749 to 1894, and  it is possiible and probable, that there are others who served who still remain unknown to us.  In previous years,  prior to the pandemic, Portland Girl Scouts continued to carry on the legacy of Kayla Theriault and Samantha Allshouse, the authors of the reclamation project, whose effort to honor these Veterans from long ago resulted in our being able to obtain new  government issued markers for them. 

      Unable to gather this Memorial Day, Joel and I paced the flags and wreaths ourselves in a well groomed burial ground, 'Thanks' to the city of Portland Cemeteries Division.

                           May we always remember to say "Thank You for your service!"

Patriot's Day April 19, 2021

 

      We are now into our second Spring of the Covid 19 pandemic and another Patriot's Day will be celebrated without the special events to mark the 246th anniversary here in Maine or in Massachusetts.  None-the-less, it is appropriate to remember, in some small way, those who participated in the battles which would ultimately, win our separation from England and freedom to become the United States of America.

     This past week, I heard someone say:  "We die twice:  once when we take our final breath, and second, when no one remembers to say our name."  Four men who lived and died in the area of Portland, Maine,  we know today as East Deering, but then, Back Cove, were soldiers of the Revolutionary War and our interred at the Presumpscot/Grand Trunk Cemetery.  One, achieved the rank of Lieutenant, Crispus Graves and served in the Continental Army. 

    The other three, Privates John Sawyer, Simon Davis and Joseph Lunt were volunteer soldiers or militia men.  Because so many records of others interred at the cemetery have been lost over many years, there may indeed be others who participated in the war for Independence.  I do believe that Joseph Merrill, a veteran of the War of 1812,  is also a veteran,  as his name appears on the military rolls from Cumberland County.

      All four Patriots returned to their homes, married, had children, and resumed their lives in the young community.  Two lived to old age and two died in their early forties.

     But, on this Patriot's Day still in the throws of Covid 19,  we will remember to say our "thanks" to each of them for their service to our country and to our city.

     Hannah Flagg Gould created a poem called:  "THE REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER'S BEQUEST".  Here is the first stanza for your reflection:

"Behold," the hoary veteran said,

"The silver  scatterd o'err my head;

A remnant of the auburn hair,

That curled in sunny clusters there,

When, in the land that now is thine.

With bounding flock and fruitful vine,

While Freedoms banner waves unfurled,

The envy of a gazing world,

Life was but slavery to me;

And when I fought my son for thee.

     My husband, Joel and I were able to place flags at the GTC and are pleased to report that Spring has arrived and so have the daffodils and other flowers.  Our cemetery crew from the city of Portland have also been through the cemetery and have taken care of winter debris and leaves.  We are very grateful for their attention to the Presumpscot/Grand Trunk Cemetery, realizing that they have many responsibilities to the city's many cemeteries.

     I am hoping that we can hold a Fall Planting Party this year and visit together with our Friends of the Grand Trunk Cemetery in person.  We wish each of you good health and well being for an lovely Spring.   Enjoy the photos!