BRUNSWICK

A solemn ceremony at Brunswick Landing will commence this year’s Memorial Day remembrances.

The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1044 based in Sanford, in cooperation with the Mid-Coast Veterans Council, will conduct a Fallen Warrior Ceremony in memory of military men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as those listed as missing in action or prisoners of war.

The ceremony will be held May 24 at the P-3 Park located on the Southwest corner of Pegasus Street and Admiral Fitch Avenue, at Brunswick Landing, located at 62 Pegasus St. It will start at 1 p.m. and last approximately one hour followed by a community picnic. Gov. Paul LePage is scheduled to speak.

“That was a pleasant surprise,” said Joe Armstrong of the Sanford-based Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1044, regarding LePage’s appearance. “It shows Governor LePage is a very big supporter of veterans. And his wife, Ann, has attended just about every event we’ve had. We’re so appreciative of both of them.” The ceremony honors all of those from Brunswick who did not return from the battlefield from World War I to the present. A ceremonial bell will be rung once for each name of a soldier read aloud.

A hymn will be performed, followed by a rifle volley and the playing of taps.

A Fallen Soldiers Memorial, also known as a Battlefield Cross, consisting of Vietnam-era helmet, rifle and boots will be assembled during the ceremony. The memorial will be adorned with dog tags, an American flag, and red and yellow roses.

“Each item has a historical significance,” said Armstrong.

According to Armstrong, the day will honor the memory of soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and Coast Guard members who died “fighting for the freedom and liberty that we enjoy every single day.”

“These fallen heroes represent the character of a nation who has a long history of patriotism and honor — and a nation who has fought many battles to keep our country free from threats of terror,” said Mid- Coast Veterans Council President Roger Dumont, in a written statement.

Dumont’s wife, Bonnie, who volunteers at the council’s resource center, told The Times Record that the council is still trying to reach out to families of about 30 killed or missing soldiers from Brunswick to participate in the ceremony.

Compiling such a list of killed or missing soldiers is an “unbelievably hard task,” said Armstrong — who credited the work done by the Mid-Coast Council — because few cities and towns keep those kinds of records.

The public — especially family members of fallen or missing soldiers — is encouraged to attend.

“We’ve been trying to make contact with family members, so we can say ‘thank you’ to them for their sacrifice as well,” said Armstrong.

The Vietnam veterans organization performed its first Fallen Warrior Ceremony in North Berwick last year. About 200 supporters showed up to pay tribute to 35 residents from that community, said Armstrong.

“It’s important that we remember why we have our freedoms, that military personnel gave up their lives for us to be free,” he said. “We can never forget the importance of their sacrifice.”

Bonnie Dumont said the ceremony will be “very humbling” and “very solemn,” but that it can also be a catalyst to “bring the community together” in remembrance over the Memorial Day weekend.

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1044 Vice President William Storman said he hoped other communities and veterans organizations will enlist his group to organize similar ceremonies.

jswinconeck@timesrecord.com