BRUNSWICK

The Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day parade and ceremony once again celebrated those who served, and was a somber remembrance of those lost to war on Monday.

Wreaths were laid in ceremonies in Brunswick and Topsham, and a wreath was tossed from the Frank J. Woods Bridge spanning the Androscoggin.

There were some last minute changes to the parade that saw the absence of some school bands, as well as a contingent from the USS Zumwalt crew.

The parade did include classic cars, scouts, unicycles, local business representatives, politicians and local government officials and floats. The Public Safety pipe and drum band marched, playing songs representative of each service as they made their way down Maine Street in Brunswick.

Korean War veteran Chic Ciciotte said he was humbled by having the opportunity to be grand marshal. He said there are so many other people that are deserving of the honor.

“We’ve got so many Vietnam, World War II guys, Korea guys, Iraq, Afghanistan …,” Ciciotte said.

The guest speaker, retired Rear Adm. Harry Rich, began his Naval career at 17 years old, and server for 35 years as a pilot and commander of Anti-Submarine Forces, Atlantic Fleet.

A native Mainer, Rich grew up in Union and now lives in Brunswick and is active with the Naval Museum and Memorial Gardens.

“ What an honor for a skinny kid from Maine to come here and be guest of honor at this program,” Rich said.

He said when he was a small boy, some 75 years ago, Memorial Day was his favorite because they had a parade and good food. Years later, Rich said the real meaning became quite apparent.

“ Thousands of young men and women made the supreme sacrifice of life itself so that you and I could live free and enjoy the special privileges of living in the greatest country on Earth — the United States of America — the good old, U. S. A.,” Rich said.

Rich said he was humbled to be asked to speak at the ceremony and, although he served on active duty for WWII, Korea and Vietnam, he did not see combat.

“ You and I had each heard a thousand times probably, the expression that freedom isn’t free. We gather today to honor the memory of thousands of young men and women who paid the ultimate price — life itself,” Rich said.