LEWISTON — Police, fire and veterans groups will all combine efforts Saturday morning to remember the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and to help local homeless people.
The day will include a ceremony and breakfast at L-A Harley-Davidson on Main Street in Lewiston, a daylong motorcycle poker run and a surf and turf dinner at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post on Minot Avenue in Auburn.
Ray Gilliam, director of American Legion Post 153 in New Auburn, said the ceremony grew out of his post’s desire to commemorate the day and to help the homeless.
“We do a lot with the local motorcycle organizations, so we decided to do a little event with them,” Gilliam said. “That little event grew and grew and here we are.”
Lt. John Cloutier of the Lewiston Fire Department said the city usually marks the anniversary with a ceremony at the Oak Street fire station but agreed to combine its effort with the VFW.
It’s important for Paul Bernard, chairman of the L-A Veterans Council.
“We all share a comradeship, whether we are veterans, firefighters or police officers,” Bernard said. “We all say that we’re willing to put our lives on the line when we sign on the dotted line for these jobs. And that’s what this ceremony is meant to respect.”
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in the L-A Harley-Davidson parking lot, 839 Main St. Former Auburn Mayor John Jenkins will be the master of ceremonies. Local religious leaders, Twin Cities police officers and firefighters and members of the 265th Combat Communications Squadron of the Air National Guard in Portland will have a hand in the ceremony.
It includes striking bells to commemorate those killed in the 9/11 attacks, bagpipes, laying wreaths and playing taps.
The American Legion Riders, Maine Fire and Iron motorcycle organization, the Patriot Riders and the VFW are sponsoring the breakfast, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at L-A Harley-Davidson.
Riders who buy T-shirts will be entered into the poker run, with riders collecting playing cards by visiting Twin Cities’ police and fire stations. The run will end at Auburn’s VFW post at 588 Minot Ave. The Patriot Guard motorcycle organization is hosting a dinner there.
Money raised at the day’s event will benefit local homeless shelters, Gilliam said.
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