This year’s Memorial Day Parade grand marshal is Jim Singer of Southport. Jim joined the United States Marine Corps. (U.S.M.C.) in 1966 and was selected to attend the U.S.M.C. Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Quantico, Virginia.  

Graduating as a 2nd Lieutenant (2nd Lt) in December 1966,2nd Lt Singer assumed his duties in the infantry. In June 1967 2nd Lt Singer was sent to Vietnam, where he would remain until July 1968. 

Following his active-duty time Jimwent onto serve in the U.S.M.C. Active Reserves until 1976, leaving the military as a Major.  

In following last year’s inspiration for selecting a grand marshal, Jim Singer was an easy choice for this year’s events. While traveling in upstate New York near Lake Placid in 2022, Jim and his wife saw military banners hung along the streets. Realizing the feeling the banners had on him as a veteran and patriotic American, Jim brought the idea home to Boothbay and spoke at an American Legion Post #36 meeting. A few short months later following a whirlwind of planning, meetings, fundraising, etc., the Veterans Banner Program was now a reality. In 2022 there were approximately 75 bannersrequested, created, and posted around the region. This year there will be approximately 570 veterans banners being postedin Southport, Boothbay, East Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, and Edgecomb. The Veterans Banner Program has quickly garnered support, appreciation, and gratitude from most everyone in the region. Folks who are here year-round, part timers, and visitors, all echo their positive sentiment regarding the banners and how they invoke feelings of pride in all that see them. Many of the veterans on the banners are no longer with us, so they are honored during our annual Memorial Day events.The banners remain up for about six months, allowing family, friends, and visitors to see and honor them for an extended period of time.So due to the overwhelmingly positive result stemming from a lightbulb moment three years ago, Mr. Jim Singer was chosen as 2025’s Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshal.