Once again we had a very memorable Memorial Day! Even Mother Nature was good to us with perfect weather, although a few degrees cooler would have been nice. I’d like to thank all those who participated in the Parade, especially all the veterans who marched under the commands, of Barry Sherman! A special thanks to our speakers, Pastor Rego, Gerry Gamage, Rev Todd Wier, Deacon Bob Curtis, Al Roberts, Al Sirois, and Joel Morley. Doug Gimbel started each of the memorial remembrances singing the national anthem. Our Community Band provide the hymns and their trumpeter, Hannah Hills, played “Taps.” The Marines again did a great job providing our Rifle Squad including GySgt. Chris Gray, in command; SSgt Jamie Brooks; SSgt Raul Bolivar; Sgt Stephen Hembree; SSgt Kyle Sullivanjohnson. Our own Coast Guard members SN Zachary Kline, PO3 Tom Donahue, SN Shi Shaojie, and SA Raymond Mellett provided the Color Guard. Girl Scout Troop 525 looked sharp marching with us. And, of course, our Grand Marshal, Cdr Kelley Craft, thank you! We also couldn’t have made all six of the parades without our trolley driver and 2 bus drivers.

As happens too often, our PA wireless system failed and Jonne Trees, of the Boothbay Region TV, jumped right in, went back to the Y office, and got us a wired mic and saved the day! Thank you Jonne!

A very special thanks goes to Julie Roberts and Coastal Maine Popcorn who came to the rescue of hot and thirsty veterans by donating a case of much appreciated water! Thank you Julie!

The Auxiliary did a great job providing lunch for all the participants and their families. That couldn’t happen without the volunteer support of Jen Sledge, Tom and Cathy Moroney, Sandy Paxson, Jan Morton, Harley, Luke, Grant, Logan and Grammy Harjula, Nicole Bollaro, Jennifer Hargreaves, Sue Burge, Jaime Hobson, Phyllis Curtis, Anita Wright, Nancy Palmer Van Dyke, Dave and Betsy Smale, Janet Clark, Anne Burt. Thank you all!

I am very excited that we finally have great website (www.post36maine.org), thanks to our new volunteer webmaster Dan MacWalters! You will find basic information about the American Legion, meet our new Post leadership and learn a little about them; and, a calendar that will be kept up to date. This calendar will include when the Hall has commitments so if you are planning an event and would like to rent the Hall, you will be able to see if the Hall is available. There are also links to key organizations including the Maine Bureau of Veterans Services where you can access to the Veterans Resource Guide providing information ranging from veteran burial benefits to all the non-profits in Maine that serve veterans. Of course, we still have our Facebook page thanks to our Historian, Fran Nicoletta.

The next Post monthly meeting is June 13 and will include the official changing of the Post leadership. Would be great to have a terrific turn out for that! The next breakfast is June 19.