TOPSHAM/BRUNSWICK

On the 60th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, many hundreds of people who hadn’t seen the sun in more than a week lined each downtown for the Brunswick- Topsham Memorial Day exercises.

Maine first lady Ann LePage and Col. Jack Mosher of the Maine Army National Guard were among the speakers. Ceremonies began at Monument Park outside the Topsham Municipal Building, and continued as the parade proceeded over the “Green Bridge” into Brunswick, where they concluded at Fort Andross.

LePage, who later rode in one of the lead cars, and Mosher both spoke at the Topsham Monument.

“Let’s put aside our differences and remember what it means to be an American,” LePage said. “It’s an honor for me to speak here just for a moment. God bless each and every one of you.”

Mosher, who earlier this year earned the Legion of Merit Award, said he had a good experience earlier in the morning chatting with Boy Scouts about reverence.

“They told me it’s being a part of something that’s larger than yourself,” Mosher said.

Mosher recalled attending Memorial Day parades in Pittsfield, near his home town of Burnham, with his grandfather. He mentioned the fact that there are few World War II veterans around now. Mosher also paid tribute to the 41,000 Mainers who served — including 273 who gave their lives and 46 who went missing — in Korea.

“That’s living history,” Mosher said. “It’s perspective you can’t gain anywhere else.”

He then read the names of soldiers from Topsham and Brunswick who died in Korea.

“Let us be reverent and thankful for those who have given so much in our nation’s history,” Mosher concluded.

The Mt. Ararat High School band and the Norumbega Brass Quintet provided music. Following the invocation by Rev. Mark Rockwood and opening remarks by Bob Lamont, American Legion Post 22 commander, Mt. Ararat student Audrey Burns sang the national anthem.

Dale Hodgkins of East Brunswick served as the parade grand marshal, while Paul Loveless of Topsham rode in the parade as the winner of the Chamberlain Award, named in honor of Civil War hero Joshua Chamberlain. Both Hodgkins and Loveless fought in Korea.

Loveless, who was a Navy commander, served for 27 years. The Chamberlain Award, he said, signifies a link between veterans and community spirit.

“I’m honored,” Loveless said.

With Boy Scout Troop 202 looking on, Hogdkins placed a wreath at Monument Park.

A short way down the parade route, marchers were greeted by Greg Kritzman of Topsham, who was dressed from head to toe in red, white and blue.

“I’m just grateful,” said Kritzman, who got toots and shouts of “all right” by those in the parade.

Outside Michaud’s Market, people gathered for the parade and some early-morning hot dogs.

The parade, led by police cruisers from both towns, a police color guard and the Public Safety Pipe & Drum Corps, stopped on the bridge. Over the roiling waters of the Androscoggin River, veterans threw another wreath in honor of those who died for their country. Wayne Krauss, a retired Navy commander, sat in the tailgate of his SUV outside Agren Appliance in Brunswick with his children Fletcher Krauss, Scout and Liberty. Krauss’ father-in-law John McDermott of Brunswick, retired from the Air Force, was there, too.

Liberty Krauss stood proudly in front of a poster she made for her grandfather, Maj. W.J. Krauss Jr., a Marine who died in 1967 in Vietnam, at the age of 33.

“We got up early and it’s really important for us to be here to show our support of veterans — those who sacrificed to protect our freedom,” Commander Krauss said.