RUMFORD — Just as a ceremony honoring veterans ended at Veterans Memorial Green Saturday afternoon, a bald eagle swooped above the flagpole.
The eagle’s sudden appearance was much more appropriate than a military plane flyover, some said.
Rep. Sheryl Briggs, D-Mexico, could not believe it.
“It’s just perfect,” she said.
Saturday’s ceremony took place at the same time thousands of wreaths were being placed on graves at Arlington Memorial Cemetery in Arlington, Va., as part of the Wreaths Across America Day program.
The local 37th Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, organized the event to mark the 20th anniversary of Wreaths Across America Day that honors veterans during the holiday season.
Wreaths were laid on the black granite monument for each branch of the service — Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force — as well as for members of the Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, and in honor of prisoners of war and those missing in action. Local veterans laying the wreaths were Town Manager Carlo Puiia and area state representatives. Joseph Roberts, captain of the local Civil Air Patrol, said the ceremony was organized to show children and others that terrorism, bigotry and other negative beliefs and actions can be defeated.
He encouraged everyone to visit one of the local cemeteries and pay respects to graves of veterans.
“We are gathered here as one nation, with one flag. We are proud to be Americans,” he said.
Puiia said worse than dying in a war or being lost in a war was being forgotten.
“This is a solemn tribute to those who have served. Wreaths are made of evergreens that symbolize strength. They last through the harshest weather,” he said.
About 30 wreaths have been sponsored that were to be laid on veterans’ graves at St. John’s Cemetery and a cemetery in Dixfield later in the afternoon.
Dixfield resident Don Derouches said he is gathering donations for the purchase of as many other wreaths as possible to place on veterans’ graves in cemeteries reaching from Bethel to Livermore and Byron to Turner.
He said he plans to have them all placed by Christmas Eve.
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- Vietnam veteran and former Marine Mike Soubble lays a wreath in honor of U.S. Marines.
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