LINCOLNVILLE — While other Midcoast towns grappled with drizzle and a few rain drops during their Memorial Day parades earlier and mid-morning May 30, Lincolnville caught a break with a parade that started at 1:30 and was met with clearing skies and even some sunshine.

This year’s Memorial Day parade traveled in the opposite direction as year’s past, beginning at Lincolnville Central School and ending at the new Honor Roll, in its new location on Main Street (Route 52) between the library and Breezemere Park. The parade was led by the color guard, with fire engines rolling along at the end. In between were veterans on foot and veterans on floats, a few antique cars, a handful of decorated vehicles, including one from Waldo County General Hospital, the Lincolnville Band truck, the Camden Hills Regional High School band and finally, Lincolnville Fire Department’s engines and access vehicle.

The American Legion was represented at the ceremony, while U.S. Navy veteran Alan Thomas and U.S. Army veteran Dale Hyssong, who both served in World War II, helped lay a wreath at the base of the Honor Roll with Ray Lewis, American Legion District 6 commander for Knox County.

The guest speaker was Christine Burstein, State Rep. for District 96. Burstein talked about the origins and history of Memorial Day, and its significance to her, both personally and otherwise.

Following is Burstein’s speech, which was followed by taps, a color guard gun salute, music by the Lincolnville Band and closing prayer:

Good afternoon everyone and happy Memorial Day. My name is Christine Burstein, and I am your state representative. I am equally honored to have been asked to speak to you today.

The history of Memorial Day extends back to 1868, when a group of Union Civil War veterans established Decoration Day — a day to decorate the graves of the Union War dead with flowers.

Veterans of the Confederacy had established their own day of remembrance. By the 20th century, these dates were merged and in 1971, Memorial Day became a federal holiday that extended to honor all Americans who died while in military service.

Since 1776, an estimated 1 million men and women have given their lives, while in one uniform or another, so that we, their children and descendants may live in safety and security.

Here in Maine, which has the third highest percentage of veterans per capita in the nation, we have lost approximately 127,234 soldiers — 10,071 were women.

My father was a veteran, the memory remains strong in my mind when I see his flag in my mother's living room, which was presented to her crisply folded at his graveside. Whenever I hear taps, I am reminded of him and the day of his burial.

Something else I want to remind you all, is that Memorial Day ought not be confused with Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving. Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.

You may ask, why do we make this distinction? Is it an important one? From one point of view, absolutely not, because every veteran has been willing to put his or her life on the line to protect and serve.

But from another perspective, it is a VITAL distinction, because when that bullet or shrapnel hit and stopped a life, a future died as well.

The future contributions,
- the could have beens,
- the might have beens — ceased in that instance — along with with the children and grand-children never to be born.

Think of the lives of loved ones shattered. Think of all the wives who never got to kiss their husbands again, the children who never got to be tucked into bed by their dad or mom, the parents who live with the agony of losing a child on a far-away battlefield.

Memorial Day gives us a chance to remember and pay tribute to all those who gave their lives AND their futures for us. How can we possibly repay that debt?

I can tell you it's not by rushing to the mall to pick up a new TV in a Memorial Day sale. It has nothing to do with the spending, or saving, money. It has nothing to do with barbecues or picnics. Not when men and women spent their life blood to save and protect us.

I believe we pay this debt by remembering that when we sit with our friends and family over this Memorial Day weekend, we are the beneficiaries of their sacrifice. As our children run, play, climb and swing, they do so in part because other children never had the chance.

I believe we pay this debt when we sit down to enjoy a fine meal together and take a moment to remember all the empty chairs, and all the empty hearts that made our happy day possible.

I believe we pay this debt when we raise a glass to fiends and family, and remember to include in our toast all of those who will never have the chance to raise their glass with us.

I believe we pay this debt by dedicating ourselves to serving others — in whatever way we can. By making our own sacrifices that benefit those in need. By volunteering, by serving our communities, by teaching your children respect of others, and doing everything possible to stop current wars and to prevent future ones.

And most importantly by appreciating the gift of life we've been given and not taking it for granted.

I would like us to now take a few seconds to silently say "Thank You" to all those who gave their lives and their futures to us.

... ... ...

Thank you.

Related story:

• New Lincolnville Honor Roll site to debut Memorial Day

Reach Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com and 207-706-6655.