All faiths Veterans Day prayer service to be held Nov. 11 in Lewiston

LEWISTON — Prince of Peace Parish will host a community-wide nondenominational Veterans Day prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at Holy Family Church, 607 Sabattus St.
Area clergy will join together to commemorate our brave men and women in prayer and song. This is the 16th year that the parish will offer the “We Remember and Give Thanks” evening of refection, honoring those who have served or who are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Hundreds traditionally gather for the service.
All are invited to attend, regardless of faith affiliation, including all active and retired military and their families.
Active soldiers who live in the area or who are home on leave are urged to attend in uniform. Many veterans rise and salute as the flag of each of the five branches of service are carried forward during the Presentation of the Colors at the beginning of the service.
During the service, those gathered join the choir from Holy Family Church in singing songs of reflection, such as “Let There be Peace on Earth” and “God Bless America,” and leaders from area religious communities voice their appreciation for veterans and lead the assembly in asking the Lord to continue to bless them.
A Missing Man Table Ceremony is also part of the event, held to remember prisoners of war and those who remain missing in action. The table is round as a sign of everlasting concern for those missing. The tablecloth is white symbolizing the purity of the motives of those answering the call to duty. A single red rose in a vase is a reminder of those missing and those who care for them. A slice of lemon is a reminder of their bitter fate, while a pinch of salt symbolizes the tears of those captured and of their families. A Bible on the table represents the strength gained through faith, while a candle is reminiscent of the light of hope. An inverted glass, however, symbolizes the inability of a POW or MIA to share in a toast and a chair sits empty waiting for their return.
For more information about “We Remember and Give Thanks,” contact Prince of Peace Parish at 207-777-1200.