AUBURN — Don Beaulieu, member of the Auburn American Legion Rider program and sgt.-at-arms officer of the American Legion William J. Rogers Post 153, drives by the Auburn Plains Cemetery on Route 4 on his way to work.

Beaulieu noticed the worn and tattered flags draping the cemetery. He was given flags by Post 153 and with the help of Paul Bernard, public relations officer, replaced the tattered flags. There Bernard met Norman Rose, 78, who has 13 direct ancestors in the cemetery.

“I’ve mowed the entire cemetery and used to bring my son. I trained him and when he got older he maintained the park frequently,” said Rose.

The City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Department has a list of tasks to perform before Memorial Day, which includes mowing, trimming, raking and litter removal at 17 cemeteries.

They mow three times a year, but the constant roadside abuse of the cemetery is ongoing, according to Rose. The sand and snow constantly plowed into the cemetery are really taking a toll, he said.

“As I looked around I saw broken flower arrangements and knocked over stones,” Bernard said, “and it really saddened me.

“I know for a fact that the city of Lewiston and Auburn take seriously the veteran community,” he said, “and during hard financial times and a lack of volunteerism we need to pick up the slack and help the cities by remembering and honoring our ancestors who are buried here.”

Among the graves are those of Noah Waterman, a revolutionary soldier who enlisted under Capt. James Churchill, Col. Peleg Wadsworth and Capt. Ebenezer Washburn; Stillman Gurney of Hartford, a private in Company E 10th Regiment, Maine Infantry; Henry L. Farrington, private 1st Regiment, Maine Calvary; Captain John Towsend; Captain L. Nash; and several veterans from World War I, II and Vietnam.

Any veteran group, Boy Scout group, fraternal order, school community service program or individual who would like to participate in the restoration can call Paul Bernard at 225-3990 or email at [email protected].

Any veteran interested in joining the American Legion and getting involved in veteran programs can call Tibby Dupuis at the William J. Rogers post home at 782-1118 or email [email protected] or visit legionpost153me.org.