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!"
