A large crowd enjoys the Memorial Day parade in Bath. (Donald Jamison / The Times Record)
The sidewalks along Maine Street in Brunswick quickly filled, with many people arriving as early as 8 a.m.
This year’s Memorial Day parade commemorated the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, Tasha Connors, the Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day Committee chairperson, said during the ceremony on the Mall following the parade.
“It is starting to become tradition,” one woman said, mentioning her young son, “to come and watch the Memorial Day parade here in Brunswick.”
Although people were slow to arrive, trickling in from nearby parking lots with coolers and lawn chairs, the crowd was fully formed by 9 a.m., as the parade began. They stood shoulder to shoulder, and in many areas a few people deep.
By the time the antique cars began their journey from the municipal building in Topsham, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and a cool breeze soothed those parade-goers sitting in the sun.
Tractors, Ford F100 trucks, a 1963 GT Dart, a 1955 Chevy BelAir, two Harry C. Crooker and Sons trucks and a Chevy Impala were just a few of the many antique vehicles beginning the parade.
Uniformed Army soldiers handed out small American flags, and were followed by the Brunswick Police Color Guard, proudly bearing country and state flags.
The Maine Public Safety Pipe and Drum Corps followed, and had a short respite just after they crossed the bridge into Brunswick. The corps is made up of members from all across the state, many of who are veterans, retired police department officers, current members of police forces across Maine and civilian members.
The wreath-laying ceremony occurred just before 9:15 a.m. on the Frank J. Wood Bridge, accompanied by a gun salute.
The grand marshal of the parade, Juanita McCauley, followed by Secretary of State Charlie Summers, witnessed the laying of the wreath and was followed by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
More than 60 teenagers from both Mt. Ararat and Brunswick high school’s marching bands performed, and, nearly 100 students from the Brunswick Junior High School band also marched.
Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts from around the area were also out en masse.
Topsham selectmen and Brunswick town councilors followed the Mt. Ararat Marching Band, who were, in turn, followed by the Freeport Flag Ladies.
Other participants
Organizations including the Berean Baptist Church, Woodside One Wheelers, Miss Maine participants, Sagadahoc GOP, Topsham Democrats, Brunswick Beacons Pathfinder International, Bodwell Motors, L.L. Bean, Greater Brunswick Peaceworks, Brunswick Executive Airport and Learning Land Nursery all had floats or representatives at the parade, proudly commemorating the Memorial Day spirit by supporting veterans and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice serving the country.
Parkview Adventist Medical Center volunteers distributed water to the crowd.
With the parade in full swing, several people commented on how big a crowd there was this year. It isn’t easy to tell the size of the crowd while on the sidelines, but one marcher said, “While you’re walking along, it really was quite impressive to see how many people actually came out to watch the parade.”
“It was more disorganized this year,” another person said, “but the sound — music and speeches — was much better.”
At 10:30 a.m., the last vehicle in the parade, a Topsham Fire and Rescue Ambulance, passed by and shortly afterward the ceremony began with a welcome by Tasha Connors.
Reed Rich, chaplain of the American Legion Post 20, gave the invocation and Caroline Fedrick sung the “Star Spangled Banner” beautifully.
Chellie Pingree couldn’t attend Monday’s ceremony, but in a letter she wrote of something someone on active duty had said to her: “I’m not the hero — the heroes are those who don’t come home.”
Guest speaker Charlie Summers, Maine’s secretary of state, presented the award for the best floats. Brunswick Beacons Pathfinder’s float of Francis Scott Key and his creation of “Star Spangled Banner” won first place.
In his patriotic address, Summers emphasized that every freedom Americans have today is because of the hard work and determination of veterans and those in the armed services. “It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the right of free press,” he said.
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