LEWISTON – Parade Chairman Paul Bernard is inviting all those interested to take part in the annual Lewiston-Auburn Memorial Day parade and ceremony to be held Saturday, May 24.

Participants will meet at Kennedy Park at 9 a.m. for line-up, and the parade will step off at 9:30. A memorial ceremony honoring departed servicemen and women will be held at Lewiston Veterans Memorial Park after the parade.

Bernard is sending out an invitation to military units, veterans’ organizations, Knights of Columbus councils, color guard units, rifle squad units, musical units, schools, scouts, patriotic floats, military, antique and patriotic vehicles to participate.

Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, was initiated to honor the Union soldiers who died during the Civil War. After World War I, it was expanded to include those who died in any war or military action.

The 15th memorial stone, consisting of the names of 216 veterans will be unveiled at Lewiston Veterans Memorial Park. That will bring the total to 3,024 names on the stones. The 15th stone bears the Marine Corps League logo and will be unveiled by the Marine Corps League.

Anyone wanting an application can log on to www.maineamericanlegion.com and scroll down to Lewiston Auburn Veterans Council and Veterans Memorial Park to locate the application. Applications should only be sent to the chairman, treasurer or secretary of the council.

All those interested in participating in the parade should contact Bernard at 225-3285, 451 Lower St., Turner, ME 04282 or e-mail [email protected].