Cape seeks Vietnam vets for upcoming parade

This year the town of Cape Elizabeth plans to honor Vietnam War veterans at its annual Memorial Day parade. Instead of a single grand marshal, parade organizers want to honor the veterans who took part in the war.

The prolonged struggle in Vietnam lasted from 1965, when the first U.S. ground troops were ordered to the Asian country, until the last troops left in 1973. U.S. military advisers were in country before 1965 and South Vietnam didn’t officially fall until 1975.

“In past parades, we have honored a specific veteran as the grand marshal. This year, all Cape Elizabeth Vietnam-era veterans will be honored, as a group,” said parade organizer Jim Huebener. “If you are a Vietnam-era veteran, we would be honored with your participation in the parade.”

The parade kicks off at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 26. Participants should gather at the corner of Fowler and Ocean House roads at 8:30 a.m.

From there the parade moves north on Ocean House Road, taking a left onto Scott Dyer Road and ending at the War Veterans Memorial next to Pond Cove Elementary School.

A brief ceremony and wreath-laying will be held at the monument. Following the ceremony, residents and guests are invited to an open house at the Town Center Fire Station, located at 2 Jordan Way.

All veterans and active-duty personnel are also invited to march. Contact Huebener, at 767-1754, 831-3625 or at jhuebene@maine.rr.com, for more information or to sign up to march. Other groups interested in marching should contact Huebener as soon as possible in order to be included.

Other parade participants will be members of the Cape Elizabeth police, fire and rescue departments, the Water Extrication Team, the Lions Club, the middle school band and local Boy and Girl Scout troops.

– Kate Irish Collins

Children’s choir performs at Cape church, May 10

On Saturday, May 10, at 7 p.m., the Pihcintu Multinational Children’s Chorus, from Portland, will hold a benefit concert at the Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church, 280 Ocean House Road. The suggested donation is $10 at the door.

This concert is one in a series to help raise funds to build the Malala School for Girls in South Sudan. The school will be named for Malala Youfsazai, an advocate for girls’ education in Pakistan and a two-time Nobel Peace nominee.

See www.ceumc.org or call 799-8396 for more information about the concert. Go to www.pihcintu.org for information about the children’s choir and its mission.

Education foundation seeks nominees

The Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation is asking for nominations to honor school staff members who have gone above and beyond as mentors to their students.

The annual Thompson Award is given out annually on the first day of school. The winners receive a cash donation and a glass apple. Any teacher or staff member may be nominated. The deadline for nominations is Friday, May 30. Go online to www.ceef.us in order to fill out a nomination form.

Shredding event in Cape, June 7

The Cape Elizabeth Recycling Committee will host a free paper shredding event on Saturday, June 7, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the town’s recycling center. The event is for Cape Elizabeth residents only and there will be a limit of four boxes per vehicle. Email to al.ward@capeelizabeth.org or call 799-4151 for more information.

Sponsors, volunteers sought for race

The third annual Cape Challenge 5K will be held on June 1 and race organizers are seeking local businesses and civic groups interested in sponsoring the event, along with volunteers to help out during the race.

Proceeds from the Cape Challenge are used to help fund programs at each of Cape Elizabeth’s schools, including the high school’s annual chemical-free Project Graduation celebration, outdoor programs at the middle school and teacher grants at Pond Cove Elementary School.

Anyone interested in sponsoring the event or volunteering should contact Sheri Bragg at sheribraggme@yahoo.com or Anne Leonardi at aleonardi.pcpa@ gmail.com.