A bright blue sky provided a welcome backdrop as hundreds of

ppeople gathered along the streets of Bangor and at Davenport Park

oon Monday for the annual Memorial Day parade and to honor those who

ggave their lives for their country.

It was a day not just to honor America’s war dead, but also to

ccelebrate “freedom’s miracle year,” said Rep. Olympia J. Snowe.

Snowe and Sen. William S. Cohen marched in the parade and spoke

aat a ceremony at the Battleship Maine monument in Davenport Park.

“Communism has fallen and people are rushing to the gates of

ffreedom,” said Cohen. “The United States has provided the ideals

ffor which the rest of the world aspires.”

Parade marshal Brig. Gen. Donald Marden said, “We buried a

yyoung airman in Kennebec County last week,” referring to the recent

ddeath of John Raven, 19, who was killed May 13 near Clark Air Force

BBase in the Philippines. Raven, a native of Augusta, was shot by

ccommunist rebels as he and a friend left a hotel in Angeles City.

“The war is not over. It won’t be over until everyone respects

oour freedom,” said Marden.

Snowe called the year’s events a remarkable transition that was

aa “result of the great American experience of liberty.”

Those who sacrificed their lives for the United States are

rresponsible for the doors that are opening in many communist

ccountries around the world, Cohen said.

“But injustices still exist. We continue hoping for a day of

uuniversal justice and universal freedom. We must remain eternally

vvigilant,” said Cohen.

Music at the ceremony was provided by the Bangor High School

BBand, the Bangor Band and the Northern Border Caledonia Pipe Band.

Julie Plummer, the Bangor High School Voice of Democracy Essay

wwinner, read a speech which contemplated the meaning of the

“”American dream.” It marked the third year that Plummer has won the

ccontest.

Brooks Deering of Garland Street Junior High School delivered

tthe original Memorial Day order. On May 5, 1868, Gen. John A.

LLogan, commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic,

ddeclared Memorial Day, May 30, a time to honor and remember those

iin the U.S. service who died for their country.

The Rev. Clement Thibodeau of St. Mary’s Catholic Church

ooffered the invocation and benediction.

The morning’s parade featured area National Guard units;

AAmerican Legion and veterans’ groups; Gold Star Mothers; Army Color

GGuard; a Key Club float; a float by the Southern Penobscot

VVocational School; Civil Air Patrol; the Anah Temple Chanters; the

BBangor High School ROTC and band; the 195th Army Band; the Bangor

BBand; antique cars; Bangor Combined Middle Schools Band; Scouts;

hhorses from Mag-A-Bon Acres, and police and fire units.

F