Veterans were honored and remembered in the Tri-Town Monday morning. Seen making its way across the Livermore Falls Memorial Bridge are color guard members from left John Dube, Don Frechette, Larry Bilodeau, Ken Blake and Joe Varuolo. Commander of the AMVETS firing squad, Capt. George St. Pierre is seen behind the color guard. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser
TRI-TOWN — Members of local veterans organizations and auxiliaries were among those paying tribute to veterans past and present on Monday morning, Nov. 11.
Members of George Bunten American Legion Post 10, Frank L. Mitchell Veterans of Foreign War Post 3335 and Lane-Dube AMVETS Post 33 participated in the color guard and firing squad that took part at each location.
Participating in the color guard were John Dube, Don Frechette, Larry Bilodeau, Ken Blake, Joe Varuolo, Jim Manter and Wayne Buckingham. Members of the firing squad were Capt. George St. Pierre, Reggie Tardif, David O. Smith, Dick Frazier, Dale Madison, Ted Soucy, Scott Walker, Dick Moreau and Wayne Buckingham. Greg McDonald played Taps at each location.
The color guard first led the group along the Livermore Falls Memorial Bridge where Larry Bilodeau gave the prayer.
“We stand here today to pay tribute to the brave men and women, living and dead who have served their country in the armed forces,” he said. “Accept our thanksgiving for their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families to purchase for us a free land.”
Jim Manter and Sheila Weed dropped a wreath in the Androscoggin River to represent all veterans who served or were lost at sea.
Veterans were remembered in the Tri-Town Monday. In Livemore Falls, Jim Manter saluted beside Sheila Weed after the pair dropped a wreath in the Androscoggin River. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser
The AMVETS firing squad under the direction of St. Pierre gave a 21-gun salute, McDonald played Taps and the group made its way off the bridge to secure flags and equipment before heading to the next stop.
Rep. Tina Riley, D-Jay and Katherine Cloutier from Congressman Jared Golden’s office took a few minutes to thank the veterans for their military service and the service they continue to provide in their communities.
In Livermore at the Brettun’s Memorial, Donald Simoneau gave the prayer.
“Today we honor worthy men and women who gave their best when they were called upon to serve and protect their country,” he said. “We pray that you will bless them for their unselfish service in the continued struggle to preserve our freedoms, our safety and our country’s heritage.”
Linda Brackett and Roberta Simoneau placed the wreath.
At the Jay War Monument in Chisholm Square, Brackett and Alice Robinson placed the wreath.
In Fayette, Army veteran Richard Wilcox and Naval Seabee veteran Al Godfrey placed the wreath at the monument near the town office.
In his prayer there Simoneau added, “Bless them (veterans) abundantly for the hardships they faced, for the sacrifices they made for their many different contributions to America’s victories over tyranny and oppression. We respect them, thank them, honor them, are proud of them.”
During Tri-Town Veterans Day observances Monday, Donald Simoneau says a prayer at Brettun’s Memorial in Livermore. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser
During Tri-Town Veterans Day observances Monday, Richard Wilcox and Al Godfrey salute after placing a wreath at a monument in Fayette. Seem in the background are the AMVETS firing squad. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser
Veterans Day was remembered in the Tri-Town Monday. Linda Brackett and Alice Robinson placed a wreath at the Jay War Memorial in Chisholm Square. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser
Members of Frank L. Mitchell Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3335 attended the Tri-Town Veterans Day services Monday. Pictured from left are Alice Robinson, Linda Brackett, Diane Getz, Roberta Simoneau, Sherry Labbe, Janice Sweeney and CJ Gerry. Not pictured was Gail Dube. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser
Veterans Day was remembered with several Tri-Town services Monday. In Livermore Falls, Katherine Cloutier from Congressman Jared Golden’s office at left and Rep. Tina Riley (D-Jay) speak with Donald Simoneau after the service there. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser
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