D-day observed at veterans park

LEWISTON — Veterans and friends attended memorial services at the Veterans Memorial Park on June 6 to observe the 65th Anniversary of D-Day Normandy on June 6, 1944.

The operation was the largest single-day amphibious invasion of all time with 160,000 troops landing along a 50-mile stretch of the Normandy. Casualties from the U.S. included 1,465 dead, 3,184 wounded, 1,928 missing and 29 captured.

The program included the “Pledge of Allegiance” by the assembly; an invocation by the Rev. Richard Bolduc; guest speakers Margaret Craven, Maine State Senate and Peggy Rotundo, Maine State Representative; remarks by Jerry DerBoghosian, Robert MacDonald, Armand Bussiere, Richard Doucette and Claire Poirier; “Taps” by Roger Renaud; and the service ended with the singing of “God Bless America” by the assembly.

: Pictured at the Veterans Memorial Park from left are Roger Renaud, bugler; Peggy Rotundo, representative, Maine State Legislature; Ronald Arneault, Post 9150, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lewiston; Joseph Paradis, Military Order of the Purple Heart; Robert MacDonald, commander, Post 9150, VFW; the Rev. Richard Bolduc; Armand Bussiere, quartermaster, Post 9150, VFW; Jerry DerBoghosian, adjutant, Post 22, American Legion, Lewiston; Marie Waterman, Auburn; Claire Poirier, U.S. Marine Corps; Sen. Margaret Craven; Michael Beaulieu, Auburn; Paula Beaulieu, Auburn; Roland Cyr, U.S. Marine Corps; John Havestadt, Post 1032, VFW, Lewiston.