The Farmington Historical plans to host a special remembrance event, “No Higher Service: Franklin County Maine’s Fallen Soldiers of WWI,” at 1:15 p.m. on Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, at the North Church at 118 High St. The event was created by local writer and amateur historian and genealogist Glenn Miller.
The free event will provide background on the United States’ entry into the war and how Maine, Franklin County, and individual soldiers answered the call to serve, according to a news release from the society.
This one-time presentation is a collaboration between the society and American Legion Post 28. It is part of a larger public observance program planned for Veterans Day beginning at 11 a.m.
This presentation also was organized in anticipation of the formal 100-year rededication of the Teague WWI Memorial Arch planned for Memorial Day 2024. A large official ceremony and community event are planned as a part of that commemoration. To learn more, visit farmingtonpost28.com.
Miller’s interest in this topic was sparked by his wife’s involvement in the Mt. Blue Area Garden Club’s renovation project of the Teague WWI Memorial Arch in 2022. As he began learning more about the individual soldiers, the work quickly became a passion project. Over the past year, he expended considerable effort finding documentation, genealogy records, and searching out surviving relatives of these fallen soldiers so that he could share their stories.
“It can be difficult to honor those who are anonymous,” said Miller. “My goal is to humanize these brave souls so our community can remember them and the many others who served but never came home.”
Miller went on to say he is putting out a call to any relatives of Franklin County’s WWI veterans and fallen soldiers to attend for an opportunity to share additional information about these men. For those who cannot join, he invites them to connect with him through the project’s website nohigherservice.org.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
• 11 a.m.: Teague World War I Memorial Park Veterans Day Observance
Ceremony Program — Legion Color Guard will present Colors, Chaplain Langdon Adams to offer prayers, with a speech by Chief of Police Kenneth Charles, wreath laying by designated veteran(s) with Scouts, TAPS, Retire the Colors then proceed to Meetinghouse Park.
• 11:30 a.m.: Meetinghouse Park Veterans Day Observance
Ceremony Program — Legion Color Guard presents Colors, Priscilla Kimble sings National Anthem (all verses), Chaplain Langdon Adams offers prayer, with speech by Cmdr. Stephan Bunker, wreath laying by designated veterans with Scouts at the Civil War memorial, WWII memorial, Modern Wars memorial, TAPS, Retire the Colors then proceed to Legion Hall.
• Noon: Veteran Luncheon — Free lunch served to all veterans and their families at the Roderick-Crosby Post 28, 158 High St., Farmington. Public Luncheon — Farmington Historical Society, North Church Lower Level, 118 High St. Soup, sandwich and the works; $10 per adult.
• 1:15 p.m.: Farmington Historical Society, Old North Church, 118 High St.
Glenn Miller to presents No Higher Service program. Attendees are asked to consider the somber nature of this presentation before bringing children.
For more information, email Miller at NoHigherService@gmail.com or the Farmington Historical Society at farmingtonmainehistoricalsoc@gmail.com.
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