CEREMONIES IN CAMDEN, ROCKPORT, LINCOLNVILLE

Wed, 05/07/2025 - 12:58pm

National American Legion and Jeff Sukeforth/Post 30 Adjutant

On Memorial Day, American Legion Post 30 and its community neighbors will honor the men and women who have lost their lives defending America since the Revolutionary War.

The American Legion will lead our communities in remembering those who gave their lives in service to our country. Society likes to use the word “hero.” There are sports heroes, action heroes and political heroes. But is there any group more deserving of the title than the more than one million men and women who have sacrificed their lives in defense of this nation?

Included among them were young men from our local communities in Maine, who all served gallantly in Vietnam; WO James Godfrey and PFC Lewis B. Jones Jr. of Jefferson; SFC Anthony J. Gustin, SSgt Malcolm G. Libbey, PFC Donald L. Mansfield, SPC4 Lynn J. Russell all of Rockland; SPC4 Fredrick H. Vester of Rockport; Lt Cmdr Arthur J. Elliott II of Thomaston; PFC Gardner J. Brown and PFC John R. Goderre of Union and SPC4 Owen H. Webster of Vinalhaven. These are but a miniscule few of those men and women who have served in all wars and eras, who we remember this Memorial Day.

All of these men most likely had things in common, perhaps they played sports, perhaps they were musicians, the one thing we know they had in common is they served their country heroically and with great pride. Another thing they all have in common is they received the Purple Heart for their wounds suffered in defense of the USA and for giving the ultimate sacrifice for our future freedoms.

The heroes that we honor today are not exclusive to any gender, race or religion. They come from all economic classes and backgrounds. They hail from all 50 states, and some have migrated from other countries. They are a diverse group committed to the belief that America is a nation worth dying for.

The heroes that I mentioned had earned prestigious awards and military decorations. But just like the “soldiers known only to God,” countless veterans have not been recognized for their bravery due to a lack of surviving witnesses who could document their final acts. They are no less heroic.

We will gather in our small communities so that we can remember their sacrifices and celebrate the fact that throughout our history, this great country produces such men and women of honor. We must not forget them.

We should also remember the proclamation signed by a distinguished veteran in 1955. “I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, Monday, the thirtieth of May 1955, as a day of nationwide prayer for permanent peace.” It is a prayer that every American and every decent human should share not just on Memorial Day 2025, but the rest of the year as well.

Let us also remember our Gold Star families who carry the weight and pain of their losses every day of the year. An empty seat at dinner, a missing face during the holidays, a child’s first birthday without one or both parents. When we speak of sacrifice we not only talking about those killed in the line of duty, but also of the families whose loved ones are suddenly no longer here. For them Memorial Day is not just the end of a 3-day weekend, but a somber moment for everyone to reflect on the steep price paid for our freedoms.

Jeff Sukeforth, Legion Post 30 Adjutant, said the Veterans Affairs Public Affairs Office shows there have been a total of 651,931 battle deaths in all wars from the American Revolution to Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

Sukeforth said there are close to 600 of those men and women laying at eternal rest in either Mountain View or Oak Hill Cemeteries. The goal of the Legion is to ensure that every grave the Legion is aware of has a U.S. Flag.

Why is this important? Because on May 26, Memorial Day, Post 30 will honor these men and women with ceremonies and parade events in Camden, Rockport and Lincolnville.

Sukeforth said he wants everyone to be aware that if you wish to attend any of the ceremonies to plan accordingly to be present for the ceremonies.

Post 30 invites all Veterans to join with the post in marching in the parades and celebrating the remembrance of their brother and sister comrades in arms. If you are a Veteran who wishes to participate, but cannot walk, call Sukeforth who will arrange a ride in the parade.

Sukeforth wanted to remind everyone that due to the solemnity of the day no political activities of any kind will be allowed in the parades. If anyone has questions about the parade they may call Jeff at 691-2270.

Should it rain, the parade may be cancelled, however, a short program will be held at the American Legion Post, 91 Pearl Street at noon. Everyone is invited to join the Legion for this program.

Sukeforth also said flags and markers will be placed on Veterans graves at Mountain View and Oak Hill Cemeteries. Should a grave be missed he would appreciate a call so a proper marker and flag can be placed on the grave.

Thank you, God Bless you, God Bless America and may God please watch over our Gold Star Families.

Memorial Day stops are as follows and all times are approximate:

Camden ceremonies - Staging area for Camden Parade is Union Street

8:30am Public Landing/Harbor; Prayer, Speech, Wreath laying, National Anthem, Rifle Volley, TAPS

9:15am Parade steps off

9:15am Conway Boulder; Wreath laying, TAPS

9:25am Village Green War Memorial; Wreath laying, Rifle Volley, TAPS.

9:35am Civil War & Spanish American War Memorial; Wreath laying, TAPS.

10:10am Mountain View Cemetery; Form at flagpole, Prayer, Speech, Wreath laying, Rifle Volley, TAPS.

Rockport ceremonies – Staging area begins in front of Post Office and moves back toward Graffam Seafood Market

10:45am Parade steps off

10:50am Rockport War Memorial; Prayer, Wreath laying, TAPS.