The best thing about being self employed is that you get to make your own hours. You decide when you work, no need to ask permission to take time off, to wait for approval. The part no one really makes clear is, you aren’t going to get paid for vacation, for sick time, for holidays.

There are a few holidays I, of course, take off. The Monday civil holidays are the hardest to justify, but I never work Memorial Day.

In the aftermath of the horror that was the American Civil War, states, north and south, began putting a day aside to remember the fallen, and to decorate their graves with flags and flowers. It was in 1913 that it was made a national holiday, marked with parades and speeches, and the date in late May was set.

My childhood memories are punctuated with the annual Memorial Day parade in Lincolnville Center. Old cars and fire trucks, the Camden-Rockport High School Band, the resuscitated Lincolnville Town Band, and the honor guard firing off a volley at the old honor roll, which was next to what is now the Red Cottage in the Center, us kids scrambling for the shell casings. The parade wrapped up at LCS, and featured a prayer from a local clergy person and a speech. Always delivered through a ear-punishing portable PA system.

Later in my childhood, I was part of the Camden-Rockport marching band, and late spring meant band class consisted of learning how to march in unison while holding your instrument, under the stern but extremely competent direction of conductor Nancy Rowe. 

The week before she would dig out the uniforms from under the band room risers: canvas loafers, khaki pants, and hot, itchy, red wool sweaters. I am shocked that no one passed out during the high school band’s tours of the Rockport, Camden, and Lincolnville parades, on a day that, in my memory, was always unseasonably warm.

I understand, from my children, that Ms. Rowe is still called in occasionally to substitute for current CHRHS conductor Craig Ouellette, and I love this. A through line to a prior generation.

After the Rockport and Camden parades, and before heading to Lincolnville, the band was hosted by the old veterans of the Camden American Legion Post 30, who would cook up a ton of hamburgers and hot dogs for the hot and hungry teenagers.

As I wrote last week, Memorial Day is a solemn holiday, when we remember the fallen. I do not believe that war is ever something to be celebrated, but the sacrifice of those lost should be honored, and I will always believe that gathering together, sharing food, and yes, laughing and enjoying a day off in late spring, is a good way to honor them.

Veteran’s Day, in November, is the day set aside for our living veterans, but it is nowhere near as generally pleasant a day to celebrate, climate wise, as Memorial Day, so it seems reasonable that we also honor those who returned home.

Growing up, knowing the old men who had served in World War II and Korea, our parents who had served during Vietnam, I did not know that my generation would have its own war, its own group of middle aged men standing before the honor roll pretending not to tear up as they remember. The Lincolnville parade has reversed its route in recent years, starting at LCS and finishing at Veteran’s Park’s honor roll, now beside the library.

I was talking to my brother the other day, and he said that a big difference in our generation is that, without an active draft in our lifetimes, many people do not know veterans closely and personally, especially in our age group.

Those who faced unbelievable horrors in Iraq and Afghanistan seem less visible than the vets I remember. I grew up hearing about the “Greatest Generation”, those who served in WWII as if they just came back from war, and went back to work. Well, yes, they did that, but we do them a disservice to pretend that this was the end of their story. That they weren’t plagued with nightmares, with the memories of friends lost. With survivors guilt. 

Our returned soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines bear scars, physical and mental. Hearing loss, permanently damaged backs, PTSD. Most of them will act like they are just fine, they were trained to be tough, but those of us who know them might see a little more of the truth.

My understanding is that the Veteran’s Administration is doing a bit better job at recognizing the ongoing needs of those who served, at providing competent medical care, mental health services, and financial support for those harmed in service to our nation.

The response of the general public, well, it continues to be mixed. Harmful stereotypes of combat veterans abound, questioning the legitimacy of their earned benefits. We thank them for their service, but then we expect them to stay silent, to conform to a stoic form of discourse regarding their time in hell. The veterans of Vietnam had Agent Orange, the current crop of vets in my generation have their exposure to burn pits, which subjected them to a toxic blend of poorly understood chemicals.

The veterans I have known are a diverse lot, ranging from the hyper patriotic to the fully disillusioned, but all deserve our respect. Personally, I am extremely reluctant to support sending our troops into harms way, and doubtful of many of the justifications that have been used to do so. I am also, though, fiercely supportive of those who served, whether I agree with them or not, knowing that they have done a job I did not or could not have done.

If you are able, attend the Memorial Day service, listen to the speech. Feel the solemnity of the day.  At the least raise a glass, or a burger, to those who never got to return.

Lincolnville Historical Society Presents

Save the date! Once again, the Bard of Lincolnville, Rosey Gerry, has put together a radio play, “To Jack a Salesman”, a 1940s murder mystery which will be performed live at the Schoolhouse Museum, 33 Beach Road, on June 12 and 14. Featuring a cast of extremely local characters, the show will begin with a spaghetti supper starting at 6 p.m. with the performance to follow at 7 p.m. on Saturday, followed by a Sunday matinee, with no supper at 2 p.m. 

Tickets are $25 for the 12th, and $10 on the 14th. Further information on how to get your tickets is upcoming- watch Facebook or the Lincolnville Bulletin Board, and I am sure Rosey will provide me with more info for next weeks column!

Library Happenings:

Join the needleworkers Tuesday from 3 to 5 p.m. On Thursday to LCS Pre-K class will hike down for stories and to get their library cards in anticipation of summer reading. And Friday, MahJongg for everyone will be at noon. Come play, or learn to play this old Chinese game.

My happy place on a summer afternoon is in a hidden spot with a book in my lap. Stop by the library and ask the librarian for a recommendation for a tome that matches your interest. Escapist fiction will always be my go to, the world is challenging enough!

Meet the New CHRHS Superintendent at LCS

Camden Hills Regional High School is welcoming a new superintendent. Meet Dr. Leigh Anne Neal when she visits Lincolnville Central School on Tuesday, June 2, at 6 p.m. at Walsh Common!

Being small part of the larger Five Town Consolidated School District means it is ever more important that we share our thoughts and values with the new superintendent.

Support our Firefighters: 

Stopping for a breakfast sandwich and beverage the other morning, I was able to give/get a hug from a young Lincolnville fire guy, back at his day job after the horrible events of last week. 

The LVFD are all just regular townspeople, working regular jobs, but with a pile of gear in the back of their car or truck, ready to come out day or night should you need them. 

Support them by “filling the boot” at local businesses around town, or cut a check to the Lincolnville Community Foundation and mail it to the Lincolnville Volunteer Fire Department c/o Lincolnville Town Office, 493 Hope Road, Lincolnville, ME, 04849.

Sunday morning is breaking gray and overcast, which I do not mind at all. We were able to get some sunshine over the last week, and the forest and gardens can never get too much rain this time of year. Be well, Lincolnville, tend your gardens, look out for your loved ones, look out for the stranger and welcome them, even if they do not know how to drive correctly. Reach out at ceobrien246@gmail.com.

Municipal Calendar

Monday, May 25

Memorial Day, Town Office closed

Service will be held at 11 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, 91 Pearl Street

Tuesday, May 26

Library open 3-6 p.m. 208 Main Street

AA Meeting 12:15 p.m., Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road

Select Board, 6 p.m., Town Office

Wednesday, May 27

Library open 2-5

Planning Board, 6 p.m., Town Office

Thursday, May 28

Library open 2-5 p.m. 208 Main Street

AA Beginner’s Meeting, 7 p.m., Lincolnville Historical Society, 33 Beach Road

Friday, May 29

AA Meeting 12:15 p.m., Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road

Library open 9-2 p.m., 208 Main Street

Saturday, May 30

Library open 9-12, 208 Main Street

Sunday, May 24

United Christian Church, 9:30 a.m. Worship and Children’s Church, 18 Searsmont Road

Bayshore Baptist Church, 10 a.m. Sunday School for All Ages, 10:40 a.m. Coffee and Baked Goods, 11:00 a.m. worship, 2648 Atlantic Highway