PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — American flags lined both sides of Main Street as the veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans marched by the crowds of people lining the parade path.
The Memorial Day parade was to honor the fallen comrades of brothers and sisters in arms during five wars from World War I to the Persian Gulf War.
Members from the VFW, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans marched in the Memorial Day parade with the veterans stopping at the bridge on Second Street to honor the Marines who lost their lives in the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans.
A wreath is laid down at the Veterans Memorial Park by (from left) Beth Jacques and James Jacques, post commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2599, and Fred Grooms finance officer for the Ray Goding American Legion during the Memorial Day ceremony in Presque Isle on May 29. (Paul Bagnall | The Star-Herald)
The parade ended with a memorial service at the Veterans Memorial Park with a wreath placed in front of the stone slab honoring people fallen in past wars.
“I thought there wouldn’t be so many people but there were quite a lot of people out here and I am very proud to be a veteran in Presque Isle,” said Andrew Kinney, chaplain at 2599 Post in Presque Isle.
Those marching in the parade were Randy Michaud, the chaplain for District 1 and Post 9389 in Caribou; Joshua Michaud, Marine Reserves but switching over to active military; Post Commander James Jacques for Post 2599 in Presque Isle; Andrew Kinney chaplain for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2599 in Presque Isle; and American Legion Post 88 member Fred Grooms, along with two American Legion members who marched with him.
The VFW Post 2559, which has been in Presque Isle for more than 100 years, last organized the Memorial Day parade in 2017.
Andrew Kinney (right) chaplain of the Hayward-Frazier Post 2599 Veterans of Foreign Wars leads the salute at the Second Street bridge in Presque Isle on May 29. (Paul Bagnall | The Star-Herald)
Before the parade began, the three veteran groups held a ceremony at Fairmount Cemetery to honor all military personnel who lost their lives.
Aroostook County Sheriff Reid Clark went to Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C., for the first time to honor the fallen veterans for Wreaths Across America in December 2022. Clark still serves in the Air National Guard 101st Air Refueling Wing in Bangor. He has been in that unit for approximately 10 years.
“We wanted to come out on Memorial Day and represent those who have served and those who are still currently serving,” Clark said. “I feel that you should never forget those who have served before you and show respect to others.”
Veterans march in the Memorial Day parade (from left) are Joshua Michaud, Marine Reserves; Andrew Kinney chaplain of the Hayward-Frazier Post 2599 Veterans of Foreign Wars; and Fred Grooms, finance officer of Ray Goding American Legion Post 88 on May 29. (Paul Bagnall | The Star-Herald)
Tiny Miss Easton, Pre-teen Miss Easton, and Teen Miss Easton wave from the jeep during the Memorial Day parade in Presque Isle on May 29. (Paul Bagnall | The Star-Herald)
