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By Central Maine Photography Reporter/Writer Jessica Laliberte
AUGUSTA — A sea of red, white a blue filled the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Saturday, May 27, as thousands of flags adorned the graves of soldiers buried there.
This was the 11th year the flag-placing event was held in honor of Memorial Day. The ceremony featured music from the Public Safety Pipes and Drum Corp, participants sang the national anthem, there was a prayer by a local deacon and Gov. Paul LePage briefly spoke.
Hundreds of volunteers including Scouts, veterans, individuals and members of civic groups joined forces to place a flag on the grave of every soldier buried in the cemetery, about 15,000 in total.
As the volunteers dispersed to the graves with flags in hand, the sound of “Amazing Grace,” played by the pipers, echoed in the chilly morning air.
The flags were bought through donations. According to Donald Simoneau, a past state commander and organizer of the event, about 750 veterans die each year and are buried at the Maine Veterans Cemetery.
Those who would like to donate can make checks payable to the America Legion “Grave Flag Program” P.O. Box 900 Waterville, ME 04901.
PHOTO CAPTION:
U.S. Marine veteran Derek Fennell, of China, with sons Kamren and Evan, place flags at the VA Cemetery in Augusta on Saturday, May 27. (Photos By Kevin Giguere/Central Maine Photography Staff)
