Governor, First Lady Deliver Memorial Day Message
Memorial ceremonies remember and honor Maine’s fallen
AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage and First Lady Ann M. LePage on Friday delivered a message honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting our freedom. The Memorial Day address is available to view at the Office of the Governor website and the Governor’s YouTube page.
“Since becoming your Governor, I have written too many letters of condolence to the families of the fallen. It is, by far, the most difficult part of my job,” Governor LePage said. “What I do hope families take from these words, however, is how deeply appreciative I am for their sacrifice.”
As Memorial Day approaches, Governor LePage and the First Lady will pay tribute to Maine’s veterans by attending several ceremonies, including the Battlefield Cross remembrance ceremony Friday at 1 p.m. at the Hall of Flags in the State House.
Four Identification Tags bearing the names of servicemen and women with ties to Maine who died during overseas contingency operations were added to the memorial, bringing the total number to 54 names.
“Private First Class Tyler Springmann of Hartland, Captain John Brainard III of Dover-Foxcroft, Staff Sergeant Jessica Wing of Glenburn and Sergeant First Class Aaron Henderson of Houlton will not be forgotten,” said Mrs. LePage.
To remember and honor Maine’s fallen Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen, Governor LePage and First Lady LePage on Saturday will participate in a Grave Flag Ceremony.
The American Legion started the Grave Flag program in May of 2007, and the turnout in volunteers has steadily increased every year since. This year’s ceremony will begin at 9 a.m., May 25 at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Civic Center Drive, Augusta. Folks are asked to gather at the top of the hill near the flag pole at 9 a.m. for a prayer, introductions and instructions.
The Marine Corps League in conjunction with the Maine Veterans’ Coordinating Committee and the State of Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services hosts the third ceremony, which the Governor and First Lady will attend Monday. The Maine Veterans’ Memorial Day Ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. at the Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 163 Mt. Vernon Road, Augusta.