FARMINGTON — Veterans Day brought remembrance, respect and a celebration for those who have served in the past and those who continue to do so now.

After two short ceremonies hosted by American Legion Post 28, one held at the World War I Arch on North Main Street and another at the honor roll in Meetinghouse Park, a special program of music and messages was held Thursday afternoon outside Walmart.

One of the messages was a remembrance of a brother who became a prisoner of war during World War II.

Erlon Rose of Livermore Falls, past commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars, remembered his brother George who shot down 18 enemy planes. During one mission, his plane was attacked by German fighter planes and the crew had to bail out. On the ground he was captured and held for 18 months. He came home and lived to the age of 86, dying in 2008, Rose said.

His brother, like others, served to protect the American people, Rose said.

The moving Fallen Soldier Tribute was performed by Sandy River Young Marines with help from Don Simoneau and Charles Bennett. Each Marine brought an item forward — rifle, dog tags, helmet, boots — and saluted. Other items used to remember the fallen soldier were an evergreen wreath, an American flag, a white rose and a red rose, barbed wire representing those held against their will, and a small white teddy bear to remember the children who lost a parent to war.

After the tribute, the roses were presented to Marion Mitchell whose late husband, Alden, provided a new scholarship for a Mt. Blue student who is the child of a veteran.

Participating in the tribute were Meldrum siblings and cousins, Daniel, David, Crystal, Jody, Joe and Sarah.

Wreaths Across America, a program started in Maine, now provides 197,000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery and others sites around the world, said Joe Ross of Wilton, one of the volunteers who makes the December pilgrimage to Washington with the wreaths.

The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Young Marines each presented him with a $100 check for Wreaths Across America.

As a large group of veterans, family, young students and Marines gathered, former Marine and Walmart store manager Dan Durrum welcomed the Post and participants. Employee Katie Smith sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The Franklin County Fiddlers echoed her version of the anthem on their fiddles along with other selections. The Emblem Club performed their flag folding ceremony, and Lt. Col. Michael Backus from the Maine Army and Air National Guard provided greetings.

Maine General Attorney Janet Mills, newly elected state Sen. Tom Saviello and state Rep. Lance Harvell also provided words.

Bishop Dan Hayes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints performed a benediction and Sturges Butler ended the program by playing taps.

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