Community News

Community Gathers to Honor Veterans

Photos: Lisa Blanchette

By Lisa Blanchette

Community members gathered at 11 am on Monday, Nov. 11 – the day designated as Armistice Day, by President Woodrow Wilson at the end of World War I – to pay tribute to those who have served our country.

Participants in the Veterans Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Gym included Sanford High School history teacher Paul Auger; members of the Sanford High School Honors Wind Ensemble and their director, Hailey Francoeur; Isabella Gibson and members of Scout Troop 323, Will Laviolette, Ralph Bedard, Jesica Peck, Jim Divel, and Mark Lessard. Many state and local officials and other residents also attended.

Guest speaker Jessica Johnson spoke briefly about her time of active service and in the reserves. She said that shortly before she lost her mother to cancer, she made a promise “to do good in the world.” She made good on that pledge by joining the Army. Since ending active duty, she has embraced her calling as a bugler, playing “Taps” at military funerals. She called the song “not a melody but a profound call, a 24-note tune that words fail to capture.”

The Veterans Day event was organized by The Sanford Veterans Memorial Committee, led by Gordon “Gunny” Kendall. The committee has representatives of all local veteran organizations including Maine National Guard, Amvets, VFW, American Legion, Military Vets, DAV, Rolling Thunder, and Patriot Riders. Meetings are held monthly at the Amvets on the last Wednesday of the month at 7 pm. These meetings are open to all. The next event they are planning will be a Pearl Harbor Remembrance. The committee can be reached via email at amvetspost3sanfordme@gmail.com.