Memorial Day parades, activities planned

BANGOR – The Memorial Day Parade will begin at 10:15 a.m. Monday, May 28, at the Bank of America Building on Exchange Street. The parade will proceed up Exchange Street to State Street, left on State Street to Main Street, and left on Main Street to Davenport Park. A commemorative ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the park.

BANGOR – Vietnam veterans who walk or ride in the Memorial Day Parade in Bangor should bring ID in order to pick up a Vietnam War walking stick from the Cole Land Transportation Museum beginning at 9:15 a.m. Memorial Day where the parade forms on Exchange Street.

BANGOR – Memorial Day activities at Cole Land Transportation Museum, 405 Perry Road, include lunch by the Old Town High School band parents, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; WWII vets can get stickers for their walking sticks 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and after the program; commemoration at 1:15 p.m. includes laying of wreaths at war memorials, keynote speech by retired Lt. Col. Charles Knowlen, Vietnam veteran; USO-type show with the Old Town band. After the program, WWII and Korean War veterans who do not have a walking stick may obtain one.

HAMPDEN – Recently, a flagpole was placed at Lakeview Cemetery in West Hampden. Friends of Hamlin Inc. raised funds for the flagpole and landscaping was done by Hampden Explorer Troop 1776, led by Jonathan Holmes, who will receive merit toward his Eagle Scout award. The troop also donated a stone bench and a plaque for the site. After the 10 a.m. Memorial Day parade and ceremonies at Locust Grove Cemetery, Main Road, Hampden, a ceremony to dedicate the flagpole in memory of Hampden veterans will be held at Lakeview Cemetery, Route 9.

PROSPECT – Memorial Day will be observed in Prospect on Monday, May 28. The parade will form one mile south of the intersection of Route 1A and Route 174 by Ray Webb’s Barn and begin at noon. The Jerry W. Dobbins American Legion Post 157 from Sandy Point and Stockton will lead off, along with the honor cars carrying veterans and veterans’ widows Lurline Webb, Vivian Smart and Rebecca Maguire. The Bucksport Middle School Band, under the direction of Susan Nesslusen, will play during the parade and again at the Veterans Memorial in the center of town. Elwin and Gloria Boynton will sponsor a patriotic float. The parade will make a short stop at Maple Grove Cemetery for the flag raising and a salute by the American Legion, then continue to the center of town for Memorial Day services. Calvin Cooper of Prospect will serve as master of ceremonies. Pastor Leon Licata of the Dove Song Church of Orland will give the opening prayer. The band will play the national anthem. Addresses will be given by Paul Magner, commander of Jerry W. Dobbins Post 157; and state Rep. Lance Weddell. A Legionnaire will escort the veterans’ widows as they place a memorial wreath by the Memorial Stone. Post chaplain Robert Mercier will conduct the military ceremony. David Cooper of Prospect will play taps.