BANGOR – Honor and entertainment for all veterans and a special tribute to Bob Hope, the nation’s only honorary veteran, will take place on Memorial Day, May 26, at the Maine World War II monument at the Cole Land Transportation Museum.

Veterans of all wars are invited to join the parade and memorial observance in the morning, then gather at the museum for lunch, the World War II memorial commemoration ceremony and a USO-type show featuring the Nokomis Regional High School Band of Newport. Band boosters will sell hot dogs, hamburgers, soda and coffee for lunch.

The public is invited to bringlawn chairs for the noon lunch followed at 1:30 p.m. by the program.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins will be the keynote speaker. The American Spirit Team of United Technology Center will present their national award winning tribute to the flag.

Admission to the museum, where more than 200 exhibits reveal the history of land transportation in Maine, is free to all who attend the ceremonies.

During the parade, veterans of World War II will raise their walking sticks in honor of Bob Hope. All during the day veterans of all ages will be asked to sign a giant 100th birthday card for Hope. Hundreds of vets will raise their walking sticks again while the card is read aloud at the reviewing stand at Davenport Park. A photo will be taken and included with the card that will be sent to him immediately following the afternoon program. His daughter’s office has promised to make sure he gets it on his birthday on May 29.

World War II veterans are invited to form in the parking lot near Peoples Bank on Exchange Street at 10 a.m. Buses will be provided for vets who can’t walk the parade distance.

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