SANFORD— He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, fighting off the Germans who were advancing through the Ardennes in a battle that waged from mid-December 1944 to mid-January 1945.

Roger Levesque, now 91, was one of those who came home. History books outline the number of those who did not, or suffered wounds in the battle: There were 8,000 soldiers killed in action, 48,000 wounded, and another 21,000 Allied soldiers who were prisoners of war or missing in action, according to online accounts. The Allies won the battle, staving off what has been described as Adolf Hitler’s attempt to break the Allied lines in the Ardennes.

Levesque fought in northern France and along the Rhine. He spent 11 months on the front lines. And on Wednesday, he stood tall with the others, at Sanford Veterans Memorial Gymnasium as the community came together to honor veterans of all wars.

There were the World War II veterans, all in their advanced years now, and revered for their enormous contributions and sacrifices that kept the world safe from voracious aggressors. Those who fought in Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War and in Iraq and Afghanistan were honored, along with those who served in conflicts between the wars, and those who served in peacetime, veterans all.

The ceremonies saw a large turnout – veterans themselves, members of veterans organizations, legislators, city councilors and many, many supporters.

The Sanford High School Band played a number of selections, a soloist sang the national anthem, and Massabesic Navy Junior ROTC displayed the colors and performed drill.

An aide for U.S. Sen. Susan Collins read a letter, outlining the number of those who served: 48 million since the country was founded.

“Each tells a story of a personal sacrifice,” Collins wrote.

Guest speaker Adria Horn, director of the Bureau of Veterans Services, herself a veteran, noted there are 140,000 veterans in Maine.

She spoke to the 12 percent of the country’s population who were serving in 1945, and 0.4 percent of the population serving now.

“The few have given you a voice,” she said.

As is tradition, the high school band played a military medley, with veterans of each service standing with pride as their song was played.

And then there was thunderous applause.

Chaplain Christina Stanley offered a closing prayer.

“Greater love have no man than this,” she said, quoting the scriptures. “That he lay down his life for his friends.”

Outside, a wreath was laid, and there was a gun salute.

A bugler sounded Taps.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.