BAILEYVILLE – The attention of many Mainers this weekend may have been drawn to Arlington National Cemetery, where volunteers helped lay a convoy load of wreaths on veterans’ graves, but some commemorated the event with similar ceremonies here at home.

One such ceremony took place Saturday in Baileyville at the local War Veterans’ Memorial. The cold may have been bitter, but it didn’t stop 30 people from honoring the memory of veterans by laying six wreaths at the site.

“We are gathered today, at sites all across America, to remember we are one nation with one flag,” said Capt. Judy Murray of the Civil Air Patrol’s Maine Wing 76th Composite Squadron. “I’m honored today, even with the small turnout, that we can be here to say thank you.'”

The half-hour ceremony in Baileyville mirrored the one at Arlington and more than 250 others that occurred at cemeteries and memorials across the country. Aside from those laid on specific veteran’s graves, six wreaths were laid at each site – one for each branch of the military, one for the Merchant Marine, and one for those still missing in action or considered prisoners of war.

Marine veteran Ernest Scott spoke at Saturday’s ceremony about his experience in World War II. He said he was on the aircraft carrier USS Franklin when it was bombed off the Japanese coast in March 1945.

“We lost 921 men on that one ship,” Scott said. “You don’t forget things like that. They were all good men. God bless them all.”

Navy veteran Judy Alexander laid a wreath in Baileyville for the POW-MIAs. She praised the efforts of Morrill Worcester, the owner of Worcester Wreath Co. in Harrington, who first donated wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery and started Wreaths Across America.

“As you can see, one person can make a difference,” Alexander said.

A moment of silence was held during the ceremony to remember the lives of those who died in service to their country. During the silence, all that could be heard was the sound of a passing car and of machinery outside the Domtar mill across Main Street.

Dennis Murray, commander of the local Civil Air Patrol and co-director of Wreaths Across America, said Sunday that about 60 CAP cadets went with him and other volunteers to the wreath-laying ceremony in Arlington. He said the purpose of having other ceremonies is to help bring attention to the service of veterans and to provide supporters with local events to attend.

“It really brings an awareness to remember the fallen,” he said. “Not everyone can get to Arlington. It will be an experience my cadets will never forget, and neither will I.”

Pastor Bernard Hammond of People’s United Methodist Church read a prayer at the Baileyville ceremony. Veteran Scott, after warming up in the cab of his truck, played taps on a bugle. He stood on Main Street next to his blue GMC pickup, a yellow plow mounted on its front, as he played the song and plumes of exhaust billowed from smokestacks at the mill behind him.