Memorial Day. The unofficial start to the Summer Season. A time for picnics, for hitting the beach. A day for parades, followed by a solemn reminder of why the holiday exists.

Originally “Decoration Day”, first recognized on May 30th, 1868, it was designated a day to honor the Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. Our young nations’s great reckoning with itself, where so much blood was shed for the cause of truly becoming a land of liberty.

Pay a visit to Veteran’s Park, next to the Lincolnville Library, and read the names of all those young people from Lincolnville who joined the Union Army. Maine contributed the highest proportion by population of soldiers to this awful war, and we all owe them our gratitude. The Boys from Maine, as our state balled by the Ghost of Paul Revere names them…

I have such clear memories of Memorial Day parades in Lincolnville Center.  It used to go the other direction down Main Street, to finish at the previous site of the Lincolnville Honor Roll- next to The Red Cottage. The fire trucks of the LVFD, the Lincolnville Town Band, the Camden Rockport High School Band, so many antique cars, and of course, the veterans… The old men of World War 2, Korea, Vietnam…. 

As time went on, those World War II vets began to travel by Jeep instead of by foot, and were joined by new veterans, young kids fresh from Iraq and Afghanistan, forever bonded with soldiers, sailers, airmen, and marines who came before them.

I especially enjoyed seeing the guys marching behind the Honor Guard in their crisp, clean uniforms – just normal Lincolnville citizens, who long ago wore those same uniforms. Though, at least in the case of my father, maybe not as crisp or cleanly.

Memorial Day is about remembering those who never came home. Those who left this little town on the coast to go to some place far away where they lost their life. I think of the mothers, going about their day in some Lincolnville farmhouse when the news arrived. Someplace far away from this little town, their child lost their life.

And today we celebrate with what? Cheeseburgers and a trip to the beach? Well, yes. When I speak to veterans, especially combat veterans, about their experience, they talk about wanting to be home, to be with loved ones, for things to feel normal. Those who passed in the fields of Virginia or France, in Iraq or Korea or Vietnam or Afghanistan… We remember. And we wish you could be here, enjoying a burger and a beverage of your choice.

Memorial Day is about remembering those who never came home, but I think it is also important to think about those who did come home. Whose injuries may not be visible. And always, to dream of a world where their service and sacrifice won’t be necessary. 

Cemetery Clean Up

So this little town is dotted with cemeteries. The resting places of those who came before us. But too often, after the family is gone, these old places can slip into neglect. And, as someone who has moved a lawnmower around a gravestone or two in his youth, they can be a nightmare to maintain.

Memorial Day is also a time when we pay attention to these old graves, when flags are placed on the markers of those who served. So, as this day approached, it was clear that the Center burial grounds on Heal Road needed to be attended to.

Keryn Laite, selectboard member and all around good guy, put out the call- volunteers needed to clean up the Center Lincolnville and Hillside cemeteries. And the call was answered. Over the span of a sunny Saturday morning, the grounds were mowed, trimmed, and generally spruced up. Even some tent caterpillars were relocated. And many purple flowers were preserved. Take a drive up Heal Road in the Center, and check out their hard work.

As Keryn told me when I arrived, after the work was done, “This is what it means to be from Lincolnville”.

Bean Supper

The Tranquility Grange, just up Route 52 from the Center toward Belfast, will be holding a Public Bean Supper on Saturday, June 3rd at 5PM, followed by “Canaan Plantation Companion”, hosted by the great Rosie Gerry. Beans, music, live drama, and original stories. Rumor has it, there may be a special guest appearance by your favorite writers of “This Week in Lincolnville”!

$10 at the door, children under 5 and adults over 90 get in free! Come be part of a New England tradition. Gosh, I hope someone makes Jello salad. I low key love that stuff.

Alright, Lincolnville and beyond, enjoy the start of the summer season. Be tolerant of the tourists, welcome them to appreciate the beautiful place where we get to live. Take care of each other, raise a glass to those we lost, and be good to yourselves. As always, find me at ceobrien246@gmail.com