Was May 25 considered Memorial Day? A day set aside to honor our fallen veterans who died for our country? Where were the spectators of 25 years gone past? Where were the participants of years gone past?

Marching in the parade with my Veterans of Foreign Wars post color guard, I could not observe those marching before us. Where were the veterans who were able to march, as in years past?

The only veterans in my line of view were the VFW color guard and members of the Post, plus American Legion members and Ladies Auxiliary members from both groups.

Where was the coverage from the local newspaper? Small towns have more coverage of their parades than the big city of Portland.

Where were the dignitaries from Washington and Augusta? No show because it is not an election year. The top dignitaries were Mayor Michael Brennan, who gave a nice speech, along with historian Herb Adams.

Where were the bands of years gone past? What happened to the music that designated certain members of our armed forces?

The Deering High School Band was there, but you could hardly hear them. The same was true of the playing of taps, which sounded like it came from Munjoy Hill.

American Legion Post 17 went all out to organize a parade that the city of Portland could be proud of. We will see what happens on Veterans Day in November.

John J. McLeod

Portland