BUCKFIELD — People lined Route 117 to watch the annual Memorial Day parade and listen to music and speeches Monday under sunny skies.

Bob Perry, a member of the John D. Long Post 58 of the American Legion, gave the address. He recited a poem titled “The Definition of an American Veteran.”

“A veteran, whether active duty, National Guard, or reserve, man or woman, is someone who at one point in life, wrote a blank check, made payable to the United States of of America for an amount up to and including his or her life,” he read.

The poem is placed on every eagle-head cane caved by the Michigan chapter of Wood Carvers of America. It was published in the March/April 2011 edition of Chip Chats, the National Wood Carvers Association magazine.

Post 58 led the parade that included a float with senior veterans seated in chairs. At the front was an empty chair with “POW-MIA” written on it. Cub Scouts marched in front of the Buckfield Junior-Senior High School band, led by Nathan Wright.

“The Star-Spangled Banner” was sung by band members Micah Madore and Megan Salsbury.

Gloria Hall tossed a bouquet of flowers into the Nezinscot River in memory of veterans lost at sea.

Cub Scouts placed wreaths on the two memorials in the town square.

The parade continued up High Street to the Damon Cemetery, where flowers were placed at a memorial to honor those who died during the past year. Chaplain Bill Rice read the following names: Elmer G. McClellan, Donald Keene, Dewy Vines, Vernal F. Andrews and Floyd Richardson.

A three-gun salute followed the reading.

Taps was played by band member Calvin Downey, and echo taps was performed by Lauren Turner.

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