ROCKLAND — Prayers, poems, speeches, and wreaths were the highlight of the morning as community members gathered in Rockland to observe Memorial Day with a parade and ceremony at Chapman Park.

Folks gathered on the sidewalks and around the park to watch the parade process through Rockland. Color guards representing the United States Coast Guard, Marine Corps League, American Legion Post 1, Knox County Sheriff's Office, and Maine State Police were in attendance, as well as a number of armed forces veterans.

At Chapman Park, families and community members listened intently as city representatives spoke, recognizing the sacrifice thousands have made for the United States and honoring all Maine veterans for their service. The ceremony featured Master of Ceremonies Walker Hutchins, the Reverend Linda Campbell, Senator Ed Mazurek, Rockland's Poet Laureate Carol Bachofner, and music by Bay Winds North Wind Ensemble.

During the ceremony, the young ladies of Girl Scout Troop 2117 and the gentlemen of Boy Scout Troop 206 turned to the flag flying over Chapman Park and led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Veterans Robert Henry and Roger Vroom were invited to lay a wreath on the flagpole in memory of Rockland's members of the armed forces. The Marine Corps League followed the laying of the wreath with a rifle salute.

After the ceremony, the procession continued down Rockland Main Street to the intersection of Route 1 and Route 17. Community members and storefront owners alike stood along the sidewalks to watch the parade and cheer for the participants.

A Wreath, A Flag, the Soldier's Time

A wreath, a flag, the soldier's time

to lie in rest among the dead

no longer safely home in bed

or waking to a soft springtime

breeze, feeling spray along Maine's shores,

listening to children on the beach.

Respectf'ly we pause for them, more

mindful on Memorial Day that each

has given what he could to save

the places that we hold most dear.

Raise up that flag and let it wave,

lay wreaths for those no longer here.

Think therefore of the soldiers' time

in battle; & let his mem'ry shine.

— a Memorial Day sonnet by Carol Bachofner, Poet Laureate of Rockland