An organizer of a Memorial Day parade and ceremony in Gorham said the turnout Monday was one of the best in recent years.

George Gerrish, commander of the Gorham Memorial Post 10879 of the VFW, Tuesday estimated numbers as “at least a couple thousand” on Main Street.

“(It) was the biggest turnout I’ve ever seen,” said Gerrish, a Vietnam war veteran.

Gorham Police Officer Wayne Coffin, driving a cruiser, led the parade from the corner of Lincoln and South streets down Main Street for a ceremony at Eastern Cemetery. The parade featured the Gorham High School Band, color guards from Gorham Police and Gorham Fire departments and the VFW.

The parade halted on South Street while wreaths were placed at the memorials in Phinney Park.

After the parade, a large throng gathered in Eastern Cemetery and lined its fence along Johnson Road for a ceremony. Cindy Hazelton, director of the Gorham Recreation Department who helped organize the parade, handed bottled water to sun-drenched marchers at parade’s end.

Rev. Malcolm Hall, pastor of the Bar Mills Community Church in Buxton, was the guest speaker.

The three members of the VFW honor guard fired three individual rounds from rifles. Matt King and Alexandra Platts played “Taps” on the trumpet. Both are Gorham High School seniors who had played in a similar ceremony earlier in the day at Hillside Cemetery on Huston Road.

The St. Andrews Bagpipe Band played the hymn “Amazing Grace,” closing the ceremony at Eastern Cemetery and the day’s observance in Gorham.

Cutline ( Gor Memorial Day – Matt King) Cutline (Gor Memorial Day – George Gerrish)

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