SANFORD — From the struggle for Independence to today, America’s military and their families have made sacrifices for their country. Some died in battle, some were wounded — and some never came home.

To honor and remember those sacrifices, the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery Association is planning to install a series of monuments at the veterans cemetery in September.

And to help raise funds for the project, the association is hosting an “Honor in Stone” motorcycle ride on May 19. The 55-mile ride, by donation only, commences at Iron Tails Saloon at 559 Route 109 in Acton and winds around coastal and inland Maine. Registration is at 9 a.m., and the ride begins at 11 a.m.

Ray Parent of the cemetery association and the local chapter of Rolling Thunder, said a large stone POW-MIA monument, to be accompanied  by 13, 4 foot memorial stones depicting each war from the Revolution to Afghanistan, and including the Cold War, will be installed over time. 

On Sept. 22, the large POW-MIA monument and at least two of the four foot memorials will be installed near the committal shelter.

Parent said the quest to honor those listed as POW/MIA began about six years ago, and evolved into the wider memorial garden.

“The POW/MIA monument …is to make people aware of the fact that many are left behind,” said Parent. He said national Rolling Thunder organization, of which the local chapter is a part, has moved forward aggressively to increase awareness in Congress of  prisoners of war and those  missing in action and to encourage the government to continue to look for them. 

 “We will continue this effort to keep the public informed of the important need to try and bring all our soldiers home for the families that gave up these young boys and girls for our freedom,” he said.

Fundraising for the monument garden will continue until it is complete.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].