Flags fly for veterans in preparation of Memorial Day May 26

FARMINGTON – They called out a name as each flag was placed in its grave marker.

Then each flagged name was checked off in order to make sure all of the veterans’ graves would get a new American flag to fly over it. Four American Legion members of the Roderick-Crosby Post 28 spent Sunday placing the flags in preparation for next week’s ceremonies on Memorial Day in Farmington.

Volunteering to coordinate the effort this year after Richard Russell had for so many years, veteran Pete Tracy came prepared for the event by mapping out the location of each veteran grave in the town’s 13 cemeteries. Ordered were 1,032 crisp new U.S. flags.

“It changes every year because there’s more every year,” Tracy said. The town provides funding for the flags placed in town-owned cemeteries. Looking out across the gravestones and new flags, Tracy added, “I like to think the veterans are still serving.”

Post 28 Commander David Targett noted that 600 of the flags will be placed in the Fairview Cemetery and across Farmington Falls Road at Riverside Cemetery. After placing a flag in a holder he said, “it’s the right think to do.”

Area Memorial Day events:

On Sunday, May 25, Wilton will be holding a new Memorial Day walking event beginning 2 p.m. at the monument on Main Street. State Sen. and Selectman Tom Saviello of Wilton is organizing the event to include a flag raising and prayer at the start and then a community walk along Main Street to the American Legion Hall. The Old Crow Band has been invited to play along with the walkers. On arrival, another flag raising ceremony will be held at the hall. Rep. Russell Black of Wilton has offered to supply a hay wagon for veterans who want to ride along the route.

“Everybody is welcome to join us,” Saviello said of the event.

The Farmington American Legion Post 28 Memorial Day events and parade will be held on Monday, May 26. At 8:30 a.m., parade participants begin to line up at the corner of Middle and High streets. Parade participants with vehicles can lineup in the circular driveway of Mallett School. At 9 a.m., the American Legion Color Guard will perform a wreath placing ceremony at the WWI Memorial on Main Street in Farmington. At 9:30 a.m., the Legion will host a Memorial Day Service inside the Post. At 9:50 a.m., a wreath will be placed outside the Post. The parade begins at 10 a.m.

The parade route is as follows: The lead element will turn right off of Middle Street onto High Street. They will turn left immediately onto Academy Street and continue to Main Street. They will turn right on Main Street north to Meetinghouse Park, where three wreathes will be placed at the military monuments inside the park. Continuing north on Main Street, they will turn right on Anson Street, to the cemetery behind the old courthouse, where they will place a wreath and have the playing of “Taps” by a bugler. The parade will continue up Anson and turn right on High Street, where they will return to the Post. A light lunch will be served to all who wish to attend. Participants welcome on the walk.

On Monday, May 26, a Memorial Day parade  in Jay will be held along Main Street to Union Street in Livermore Falls. Parade line-up at Memco, Main St., Jay. Parade begins at 9 a.m.