Memorial Day 2024 Activities Planned

Compiled by Zendelle Bouchard

Sanford will commemorate Memorial Day with a full day of activities on Monday, May 27, including a parade (weather permitting) and ceremonies honoring our nation’s fallen service members.

Wreath Laying

The Sanford Veterans Memorial Committee will kick off the day with wreath laying ceremonies at cemeteries and other locations around town. Committee members will gather at downtown Dunkin’ Donuts at 7:30 am and proceed by car to the following locations, in this order, to lay wreaths. The public is invited to join them at any or all locations.

• Central Park, 920 Main St., 8 am
• St. Ignatius Cemetery, Berwick Road
• Oakdale Cemetery, Twombley Road
• Soldiers and Sailors Park, Oxford Street
• Riverside Cemetery, Riverbank Court, Springvale
• Notre Dame Cemetery, Pine Street, Springvale
• Number One Pond, across from the National Guard Armory, 9:30 am.

Parade & Ceremonies

Please note William Oscar Emery Drive will be closed beginning about 9 am. The parade (weather permitting) will begin at 10 am at the National Guard Armory. Becky Conley will be Grand Marshal of the parade. The Sanford High School and Sanford Middle School bands will be participating. The parade will follow this route:

• South on William Oscar Emery Dr. to the roundabout
• Right on Gowen Park Dr. to Main St.
• Right on Main St. toward Springvale
• Ending at Springvale Square at the Walgreen’s parking lot

Following the parade, ceremonies will be held at the Gazebo in Springvale Square (near Walgreens). Paul Auger will serve as Master of Ceremonies and both bands will play. The Amvets Honor Guard will take part and Jessica Johnson will play taps. PLEASE NOTE if the parade is cancelled due to rain, the ceremony will be held at the Veterans Memorial Gym, 678 Main St. at 10 am.

Veterans Cemetery Ceremony The ceremony at Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Springvale will take place beginning at 1 pm. Retired Vice Admiral George W. Emery of the US Navy, a native of Springvale, will be the guest speaker. US Senator Susan Collins will deliver the keynote address. The ceremony will also include a wreath laying, rifle salute and Amazing Grace performed by pipers Al Halliday and Bill Ferrigno. The public is encouraged to attend. Read more about Vice Admiral Emery’s Naval career here:

Poppies Marge Lewis of the American Legion Auxiliary will be at Springvale Hardware this Memorial Day weekend with red paper poppies available for a donation. All funds raised are used to help needy veterans. Paper poppies have been offered to the public each May since 1921 as a memorial to all fallen veterans. After World War I, poppies grew in the fields of Europe where battles were fought, their bright red color a symbolic reminder of the blood shed by our soldiers.