RUMFORD – The town is planning two special celebrations, each with a very different focus.

Town Manager Joseph Derouche told the board on Wednesday that he is researching the names of soldiers from Mexico who are currently serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. He is also trying to get the names of all soldiers from the 10 towns of the River Valley so that they may be honored during a special ceremony as part of the area’s Memorial Day parade on May 31.

The annual parade is a combination effort of Rumford and Mexico, and is organized by the Rumford American Legion.

Mexico Public Works employees have been devoting time over the past week or so erecting fresh, new yellow ribbons at various sites around town. A few new flags have also been raised in honor of Memorial Day.

Mexico’s part of the Memorial Day events takes place at the Mexico Greens. The parade starts in Rumford.

The Citizens Advisory Board, and other municipal and civic groups will soon begin planning the town’s part in the Oxford County bicentennial celebration.

Louise Arsenault, chairwoman of the CAB, told selectmen that the Oxford County Bicentennial Committee has asked each town in the county to organize some kind of celebration during the year. She said May 25, 2005, is the date a horseback rider carrying the county’s charter will arrive in Mexico and will likely become the town’s celebration day.

Plans are for the rider to begin his trek in Boston with the charter, which will be presented in Paris, the county seat. The rider will travel through each county town during the celebratory year. Maine was a part of Massachusetts when Oxford County became a county in 1805.

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