Gorham honors its veterans, despite pandemic

PHOTO: Bob Mountain salutes the memorial in Phinney Park in Gorham. (Jeff Knox photo)

By Chad Butts

GORHAM — For nearly 160 years, Americans have been remembering and honoring their war dead by decorating their graves, and this year was no different for the Gorham Memorial Post 10879 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Each May, just before to Memorial Day, the members of Post 10879 and volunteers mark recent graves with a U.S. veteran flag holder,, and place more than 950 flags on veteran’s grave sites in the 14 Gorham cemeteries and one private family cemetery. The town’s cemeteries include veterans from every war and conflict since the American Revolution.
Because of the pandemic, it was necessary for Gorham to cancel this year’s parade, but Post 10879’s annual activities and Memorial Day ceremonies continued. With ceremonies at Hillside Cemetery, U.S. Route 202 bridge over the Presumpscot River, Phinney Park and Eastern Cemetery, Gorham’s veterans received recognition for their patriotism and sacrifice. As a result of the current crisis, Comm. Don Veilleux, in his opening remarks, also honored those battling on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, and especially, Gorham’s first responders, its police and fire departments.
Travel restrictions made it impossible for this year’s guest speaker to appear in person, but retired Air Force Col. Lawrence Hicks recorded his remarks from the National Veterans Cemetery in Little Rock, Ark. This address is available on the VFW Post 10879 Facebook page. With thanks to Gorham Community Access Media website staff, a full compilation of all the Memorial Day ceremonies is available at gocat.org [1].
Post 10879 thanks the town and her citizens for the support of these important events of remembrance that show our appreciation for the great cost of liberty.