Resident Dennis Lee speaks Saturday morning, Nov. 11, during rededication of the Brettuns Memorial in Livermore. Veterans organizations and their auxiliaries also held wreath laying observances in the Tri-Town to remember Veterans Day. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser
REGION — Veterans Day observances were held in the Tri-Town Saturday morning, Nov. 11, with a rededication of the Brettuns Memorial at the intersection of Route 4 and Church Street in Livermore.
The memorial has two monuments: one honoring Livermore service people buried in unmarked graves, the other dated 1947 which honors all sons and daughters of Livermore who served their country.
Stella Paquette places a wreath Saturday morning, Nov. 11, at Brettuns Memorial in Livermore. Jan Arsenault is seen beside her. Veterans Day observances were held at several Tri-Town monuments. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser
As part of the restoration efforts, two raised wooden planters were built, placed behind the 1947 monument and filled with artificial flowers. A stone bench was added near the other one.
Resident Dennis Lee thanked veterans for all they have done for their country. He recognized community members who “helped restore [Brettuns Memorial] this year. It’s really a blessing for all of us. It helps give National pride back that we have been missing over the years. A lot of people have put in time and their hearts.”
Brisk winds Saturday morning, Nov. 11, are a challenge for color guard members from left John Dube, Rick Merrill, Reed Costin and Larry Bilodeau as they stand on Livermore Falls Memorial Bridge. Veterans Day observances were held at several Tri-Town monuments with the cold winds most strongly impacting the bridge service which honored veterans lost at sea. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser
Members of VFW Post 3335 and American Veterans Post 33 in Jay, American Legion Post 10 in Livermore Falls and their auxiliaries participated in the observances which began in Fayette.
Pam Manter places a wreath Saturday morning, Nov. 11, at the Jay War Memorial in Chisolm Square. Janice Sweeney is seen behind her. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser
At the Jay War Memorial in Chisolm Square, the color guard marched to the center of Route 4 and stood at attention while Larry Bilodeau gave a prayer. Janice Sweeney then accompanied Pam Manter while she placed a wreath in front of the monument.
Afterwards, George St. Pierre led the 21-gun salute and Wayne Buckingham played taps.
Gail Dube on Saturday morning, Nov. 11, prepares to drop a wreath from Livermore Falls Memorial Bridge into the Androscoggin River while Jocelyn Mosher-Collins looks on. The observance honored veterans lost at sea as part of Veterans Day events in the Tri-Town region. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser
At Union Park in Livermore Falls, Sherri Lieter placed the wreath accompanied by Donna Arsenault. At the Livermore Falls Memorial Bridge, Post 10 Commander Jocelyn Mosher-Collins stood beside Gail Dube as she dropped a wreath into the Androscoggin River to honor those lost at sea.
Donna Arsenault at left and Sherri Lieter are seen Saturday morning, Nov. 11, after placing a wreath at a monument in Livermore Falls’ Union Park. Veterans Day services were held at several Tri-Town monuments. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser
Stella Paquette placed the wreath at Brettuns Memorial with Jan Arsenault beside her.
At each location John Dube led the color guard. Rick Merrill, Reed Costin and Bilodeau carried American, Maine, and POW/MIA flags, respectively. Bilodeau, St. Pierre and Buckingham performed their duties.
More community members attended the Livermore rededication ceremony than the observances in Livermore Falls and Jay.
Lee also drew attention to those Livermore service men and women whose final resting places are unknown.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
