Veterans Day parade set for Nov. 12

Its roots are in Armistice Day, when the World War ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day in 1918. Schools let out, bells rang and people filled the streets in excitement.

But wars have continued, and now we honor all veterans of the United States armed services on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Activities will run Nov. 9-12.

The Bangor-Brewer Veterans Day Parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 12, in Brewer, according to retired Lt. Col. Jackson R. Kurtzman, organizer.

Veterans, veterans groups, groups of veterans’ descendants and other organizations will gather at 9:45 a.m. in the Brewer Shopping Plaza on Wilson Street.

Gov. John E. Baldacci will lead off the parade at 10:30 a.m., joined by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Purple Heart recipients and other veterans groups.

The parade will proceed down Wilson Street, across the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge to Bangor, and down Main Street to the reviewing stand in West Market Square. At the reviewing stand there will be a brief ceremony.

The parade will turn right onto State Street, then right onto Exchange Street, where it will disband. The parade route is 11/2 miles long, Kurtzman said, and the parade will finish at about 11:45 a.m.

Hundreds of veterans are expected to take part in the parade carrying walking sticks they have received in recognition of war service.

More than 1,500 Maine Vietnam veterans have received Maine-made maple walking sticks since Memorial Day from the Cole Land Transportation Museum. The program began several years ago when the museum and Peavey Manufacturing joined forces to give World War II walking sticks to Maine veterans. The museum also has distributed Korean War walking sticks to Maine vets.

A volunteer at the museum who served in Vietnam penned these words to encourage other veterans of the Vietnam War to join the parade on Nov. 12:

Never did the Cole Family expect to present over 1,500 walking sticks to Vietnam veterans!

Never did we believe nearly 600 Vietnam vets would fill Central Street in Bangor in the 2007 Memorial Day Parade and receive such a great welcome!

Never did we expect the smiles, hugs and laughs we saw at the museum on Maine Vietnam Veterans Day as Vietnam brothers and sisters gathered.

Now a grateful community is ready to properly bring you home! Don’t retreat now. Come walk in the parade and flood the streets of Bangor-Brewer on Veterans Day. Walk or ride for your brothers and sisters who could not come home. Receive your belated welcome! Walk for your troops now sacrificing for us in Iraq and Afghanistan. You make sure they experience a better welcome home!

The Cole Museum still has some walking sticks left for Vietnam, Korean War and World War II veterans, said Galen Cole, museum founder.

Maine veterans who have not previously received a walking stick may obtain one by bringing identification to the museum 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily as long as the walking sticks last. The museum closes for the winter on Nov. 12.

Cole said that First Student will again provide buses for veterans who need to ride in the parade.

Veterans may park at the Brewer Shopping Mall and wait in their cars for the parade to form. Advance Auto Parts also will allow some to wait inside their warm building for the formation.

Veterans also may leave their cars at the TD Banknorth lot on Exchange Street in Bangor and take one of the buses to Brewer 9:30-9:45 a.m. Monday.

The buses also will be available to take veterans from the end of the parade back to the shopping center in Brewer.

“Quiet Courage,” the profile of 89 veterans written by Don Colson for the museum, is available for $20, postpaid, from Cole Land Transportation Museum, 405 Perry Road, Bangor, ME 04401.

The book may be picked up at the museum for $20, or just before the parade on Nov. 12 at Advance Auto Parts in Brewer.

BANGOR – Veterans Day activities, Monday, Nov. 12, Cole Land Transportation Museum, 405 Perry Road. Presentation of awards to schoolchildren in the museum essay contest, “What Freedom Means to Me After Interviewing a Veteran,” 1 p.m.; concert of patriotic music by Bangor Band, 2 p.m. Free.

CARMEL – Dedication ceremony for memorial benches from Cole Land Transportation Museum, 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, Veterans Memorial Park, by municipal building. Invocation by Pastor Judy Ahles; posting of colors by Hermon High School Junior ROTC; National Anthem by Hermon High School Band; address by the Rev. Robert Carlson; dedication of benches by Galen Cole; benediction by Pastor Tammie Noyes; retiring of colors. Refreshments with American Legion Post 107 Auxiliary afterward at fire station; grace by Pastor Paul Zegarra.

CASTINE – Veterans Day Observance, 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9, in front of Leavitt Hall, Maine Maritime Academy. Sponsored by Student Government Association and Regiment of Midshipmen. With the Maritones, MMA Band, Pipe and Drum Corps, Drill Team, 21-gun salute. Wreath-laying by Downeast Chapter of the American Merchant Marine Veterans Association at Merchant Marine Memorial on campus. Memorial honors Merchant Mariners and members of Naval Armed Guard from Maine who died in service to their country during World War II.

WINTERPORT – American Argonne Post 138 will conduct a Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, in front of the Winterport Library on Main Street. Activities will include the laying of a memorial wreath, a brief speech by Comrade James Foley and a 21-gun salute. All are welcome.