LEWISTON — A new granite marker with 216 names of local veterans is dedicated every Memorial Day at Veterans Memorial Park at the base of the Great Falls on the Androscoggin River.
Memorial stone No. 31 may not be ready for the 2019 ceremony.
Names have slowly trickled in for the 31st marker, according to Normand Cote, vice chairman of the L&A Veterans Council.
“Usually at this time of the year we have about half the names needed to have a new monument the following Memorial Day,” Cote said.
Each marker contains 216 names, consisting of two columns of 54 names on both sides of the stone. Each line includes the service branch of each veteran and the conflict fought in.
While the majority of names are either WWII, Korea and Vietnam veterans, the listing includes all wars and conflicts from the Civil War through Afghanistan and Iraq.
The 30 monuments in the park contain nearly 6,500 names of local veterans.
“It has been a very slow year, as far as getting names,” Cote said. “I don’t know if it is because the old veterans of WWII and Korea are passing away at a faster rate, or if the general public does not take the honoring of our veterans as seriously as in previous years.
“These veterans who have served and are serving at this time all over the world have sacrificed a good part of their lives serving our country. Some have given their lives and limbs, so that we could enjoy the freedom that we enjoy in this great country of ours.”
If the L&A Veterans Council does not receive enough names, Cote said the dedication of the new monument will likely not be held next Memorial Day, but postponed to 2020 or perhaps Veterans Day 2019.
Applications to place a family member or friend’s name on a monument can be obtained from Cote at 207-782-1725 or nmcote@roadrunner.com. Applications are also available on Lewiston and Auburn city websites.
An individual must be a veteran, man or woman, and honorably discharged from one of the service branches. A copy of any DD214, 215, 217-MC , WD AGO 53-55, or a photo in uniform or cemetery marker photo should be attached to the application along with a check or money order for $35 to cover the cost for engraving.
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