John Collette, left, and Tom Simpson repair a granite bench Monday at Veterans Memorial Park next to Main Street in Lewiston. Preparations are being made for the dedication of two new benches and a Vietnam War monument at 10 a.m. on Veterans Day. Collette and Simpson work for Collette Monuments in Lewiston. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
LEWISTON — Vietnam War veterans will be at the forefront Thursday during the annual Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in Lewiston.
A new granite monument will be unveiled to honor all veterans of the Vietnam War. Fundraising for it was spearheaded by Charlie Paul, a Marine veteran who served in Vietnam and is vice chairman of the L&A Veterans Council. Paul raised more than $6,500 last winter standing outside the park on Main Street collecting donations.
He raised enough money to also pay for a granite bench to honor Vietnam vets.
Also being honored with a granite bench is Norm Cote, past vice chairman and treasurer of the L&A Veterans Council who died earlier this year.
Thursday’s observance begins at 10 a.m. and will feature speakers from veterans organizations and a canon salute by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1603 in Auburn.
Norm Bussiere from the Franco American Vets Post 31 in Lewiston will play taps. Color guards representing the 77th Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol in Auburn and the Junior Air Force ROTC from Lewiston High School will take part in the ceremony.
The American Legion Riders of Maine will show the colors from the five armed services — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.
Master of ceremonies is expected to be Jerry DeWitt, chairman of the L&A Veterans Council and who was recently named national commander of the Franco American War Veterans.
Veterans Memorial Park is on Main Street beside the Androscoggin River at the end of Longley Bridge.
Also on Thursday, Bates College will hold a brief Veterans Day ceremony on campus at 9 a.m. at the Bates Veterans Plaza. Attendees will hear reflective readings and interfaith prayers. Stones will be available for people to lay at the memorial in honor of a veteran.
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