SPRINGVALE — Young Tommy McClellan, 9, stood by his father’s side at the ceremonies. When  Capt.  Brian McClellan of the Maine Army National Guard stood straight and tall, with his arms at his sides and his hands positioned just so, so were Tommy’s.

Father and son came to the ceremony at the Springvale Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Saturday to honor U.S. veterans together. 

Sons and daughters came to honor fathers and mothers who served  in the military, whether they were there only in spirit and memory, their names etched  on marble stones, or whether they were standing toeether, clasping hands in the cool autumn temperatures.

Saturday’s Veterans Day ceremony at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery was the first hosted by the 20 Masonic lodges that make up Districts 18 and 19, essentially from Kittery to Old Orchard Beach and inland to Parsonsfield in Maine.

While Masons have honored veterans in a number of ceremonies elsewhere in Maine, the event was the first at Springvale, said District Deputy Grand Master Brian Ingalls, who brought the idea to the lodges.

Why Masons, what is the connection? 

“Because we have common values,” said Ingalls.

Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Maine Thomas Pulkkinen agreed, speaking to  the shared principles of honor, patriotism and mutual support.

He pointed out that there have been military Masonic lodges from the Revolution to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

George Washington was a Freemason, as was Andrew Jackson, Joshua Chamberlain, Theodore Roosevelt, John “Black Jack” Pershing, Douglas McArthur, Gen. Colin Powell, and a host of others.

“We’re very close to the military,” said Pulkkinen — and he pointed out many Masons are members of the military.

Following the ceremony, veterans, Masons and their families were invited to a sit down ribeye steak luncheon with all the fixings at Ocean Lodge 142 in Wells. About 60 turned out for the meal  and the camaraderie that comes with shared values.

It was a brief ceremony at the veterans cemetery.  The colors were posted. McClellan and Pulkkinen placed a wreath at the base of the American flag. Mason George Pulkkinen piped a medley of military anthems, and bugler Harold Jamison sounded Taps.

McClellan, the guest speaker, told the assembly he just completed his commitment with the 251st  Engineer Company (Sappers), based in Norway and was about to take up his brigade post with the 52nd Troop Command, based in Augusta.

He served in Iraq from Jan. 16, 2008 until Christmas that year, and in Afghanistan from August 2013 to July, 2014.

He pointed out that Maine has the 7th highest number of people serving in the military, per capita, in the nation.

“With that service comes sacrifice,” he said. “I’ve had the experience when I’ve seen that sacrifice.”

 McClellan said he was grateful to be attending the ceremony with his son, Tommy, who stood beside him.

Maine Grand Lodge Deputy Grand Master Mark Rustin gave the benediction.

“O great and gracious God, we gather here this day as a grateful people, for the ability to live our lives in freedom, “he prayed.

Among those attending was Roger Watson, a member of the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery Association. He is the Disabled American Veterans liaison to the group and served four tours in Vietnam.

He just wanted to be there, to see the ceremony, he said.

Also attending were members of Boy Scout Troop 320, of Shapleigh. 

“One of the teachings of scouting is citizenship,” said assistant scout master Adrian Jean. “Being able to respect our  veterans is a part of the learning experience.”

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