Monday, May 27, marks this year's Memorial Day observance, a national holiday to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military.

Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Following is a round-up of parades and ceremonies being held Monday.

Gov. Paul R. LePage has ordered that the U.S. and Maine flags at state facilities statewide be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon on Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day.

In an email, LePage asked businesses and residents to also lower their flags to half-staff to pay tribute to the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defending the nation and its freedom.

“They have fought for us and died for us, and there is no way to repay them for what they have given, but on this Memorial Day, we can show that we are grateful for all of our fallen heroes,” said LePage.

If your community's event is not listed, send details to news@penbaypilot.com as this story will be updated throughout the weekend.

Appleton

10 a.m. — Miller Cemetery, Burketville
10:45 a.m. — Meet at Gushee's Corner; service begins at 11 a.m., Pine Grove Cemetery.

State Police are planning additional patrols and several special enforcement efforts beginning May 24 for the long Memorial Day weekend. Maine State Police Chief Col. Robert Williams said troopers will be looking for drunk and aggressive drivers and speeders, and enforcing the state's seat belt and no texting laws. The turnpike and the interstate, the state’s two busiest roads, will be a priority for the additional enforcement, but troopers also will be heavily patrolling the state’s secondary roads. The agency's plane will be assisting in the weekend enforcement efforts. Williams said, "Memorial Day weekend sets the tone for the summer driving season and the State Police’s goal is to make it a safe one." Two people were killed in traffic crashes during last year’s Memorial Day weekend and three people died during the holiday weekend in 2011. In addition to the State Police enforcement effort, 83 local and county police agencies are taking part in the annual Buckle Up – No Excuses campaign, cracking down on those who don’t use their seat belts. The state Bureau of Highway Safety has distributed just over $178,000 in federal highway safety funding to assist in the effort, which will pay for officer’s overtime. The state effort coincides with the national campaign called “Click It or Ticket, which involves police from across the county.

Belfast

8 a.m. — VFW Post 3108, American Legion Post 43 and AMVETS Post 6829 will hold a short service at the World War II memorial located beside the American Legion, then go to the VFW and hold another short service for the memorial located there.

10 a.m. — Parade, down Main Street to the waterfront for a final service, stopping at Grove Cemetery along the way.

Camden

8 a.m. — Color guard formation, American Legion Hall, 91 Pearl St.

9 a.m. — Wreath ceremony at the harbor with honor guard rifle salute, Camden Hills Regional High School band plays taps and Navy hymn, Camden Public Landing.

9:30 a.m. — Parade (participants line up at Seventh Day Adventist Church on Camden Street), travel north on Route 1 with stops for taps at the Conway Monument, Village Green and Harbor Park, and then continue to Mt. View Cemetery for a brief ceremony. All veterans are welcome to walk during the parade. To arrange for a ride in the parade, veterans can contact the post commander at 236-3310.

5 p.m. – Down East Singers' annual Memorial Day concert, Camden Opera House, 29 Elm St.

Rockland

10:30 a.m. — Parade (participants assemble at Boston Financial at 9:30 a.m.), from Boston Financial parking lot, travel along Main Street stopping at Chapman Park for the ceremony and continuing to the intersection of routes 1 and 17. In addition to Master of Ceremonies Walker Hutchins and Marshal Rev. Linda Campbell, participating units include Maine State Police, Knox County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Coast Guard Color Guard color guards will join members of the U.S. Marine Corp, American Legion and Veterans of the Armed Services, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the Bay Winds North Wind Ensemble. A fly over by the Owls Head Transportation Museum is slated to occur during the parade. All veterans, children on decorated bicycles and musicians are invited to join the parade.

Rockport

11 a.m. – Parade, from the post office in the village to Amesbury Cemetery, Pleasant Street.

Lincolnville

1 p.m. – Parade, (gather in the former Dean and Eugley/School House Museum parking lot by 12:30 p.m. to be included in the line-up), from the new community library in the center to Lincolnville Central School for the ceremony.

3 p.m. – Parade, (gather in the Lincolnville Beach parking lot), to Frohock Bridge for the service to honor veterans lost at sea with color guards, a prayer and taps by Lincolnville Central School student Anna Christie and ceremonial wreath placement.

Monroe

11 a.m. – Parade from Monroe School to Gesner Park, Route 139, rain or shine.

A message from U.S. Sen. Angus King:
On this Memorial Day, I join with you and with all Americans in remembering those who gave their lives in service of our country. Like you, I am deeply grateful for their sacrifice, which across our history, has helped to secure the freedoms that we continue to enjoy today. This solemn day also gives us occasion to recognize and thank our courageous men and women who are at war in Afghanistan, and those who are stationed far from home across the globe. They, as well as their families, continue to remain in our thoughts and prayers. I also want to thank all of Maine’s veterans for their service. Simply put, they are our nation’s finest, and they embody the values that keep our state strong: integrity, service to others, honor, and loyalty. Even many years removed from their military service, our veterans carry these values with them as they continue to make extraordinary contributions to our society. But today is about remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our Nation. Memorial Day began in 1868 as a day for the decoration of soldiers’ graves. Nearly 150 years later, the meaning of the holiday remains much the same. We gather to honor the memory of those who, as President Lincoln said, “gave their lives that our nation might live.” While our Memorial Day commemorations vary in their gravity, all depend upon the liberty that our fighting men and women have hard-won for us on battlefields here in America and around the globe. We memorialize our national inheritance with parades, concerts, and family gatherings, and we temper the sadness of our collective loss with the joys of community, family, and the liberty that our honored dead grant to us.

Prospect

Noon – Parade (gather near Webb's red barn at 11:30 a.m.), to Maple Grove Cemetery, ending at the veteran's memorial in the center of town for a ceremony.

Searsmont

9 a.m. – Parade (participants gather at 8 a.m. at the community center), beginning at Appleton Ridge Road/Community Center on Route 131, proceeding to the bridge for a wreath laying and on to the memorial at New England Road for a flag-raising ceremony. The parade then will continue through the town along Route 131 to the post office.

St. George

9:30 a.m. – Parade (gather at 8:30 a.m. at Tenants Harbor Baptist Church), travel through town, stopping for a wreath ceremony at the harbor and a ceremony in front of the American Legion.

Thomaston

9:30 a.m. – Sunday, May 26, recognition of military veterans, police officers, firefighters and first responders at the Federated Church, 8 Hyler St., during worship service. The public is welcome.

10 a.m. – Monday, May 27, American Legion Post 37 will conduct a ceremony at Main Street Mall, followed by a ceremony at Village Cemetery.

Warren

10:30 a.m. – Service, at the monument triangle on Main Street by the post office. The Rev. Andrew Stinson will lead a prayer, Girl Scouts will recite the Gettysburg Address and the Medomak Valley High School band and Warren Community School students will perform. The group will proceed to the bridge on Main Street and Scouts will place flowers in the water.

West Rockport

8 a.m. — Rockville Cemetery

8:30 a.m. — West Rockport Cemetery, led by Dr. David English and music by Camden Hills Regional High School band.

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Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached by email at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or by calling 207-706-6655.