RUMFORD — Memorial Day was observed Monday under ideal, summer-like conditions with a parade and ceremonies at the Rotary Memorial Green in Rumford and at Veterans’ Memorial Green in Mexico.

The annual tribute to those who fell in battle defending our country was held by members of Napoleon Ouellette Post 24 of the American Legion. The parade marshal was Alfred Drapeau, a decorated World War II veteran.

The guest speaker was Edward J. Roach Jr., past commander of Post 24.

After enthusiastically acknowledging the young people participating in the parade, he noted, “Thank the youngsters when you get home for doing what they do and having the pride in their country, the pride in their community and the pride in their veterans and their citizenship that the veterans won for them.

“Americans must remember that freedom isn’t free,” Roach said. “In fact, it’s only possible because our fallen heroes have paid its high price. A price paid, which enables us to have ceremonies and observances like this in towns across this great country. Yes, they are also holding them in foreign countries where our dead are buried.

“The numbers of our fallen heroes are not just statistics. They are real people, with real families who lived in real communities. We can best honor their sacrifice by remembering their families, who have lost so much. Long after the battlefield guns have been silenced and the bombs stop exploding, the children of our fallen warriors will be missing a parent. Spouses will be without their life partners. Parents will continue to grieve for their heroic sons and daughters that died way too early,” he said.

“We need to be there for them, not just as members of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and other veterans groups and civic organizations, but as American citizens. Nobody can replace these fallen heroes, especially in the eyes of their families. But we can offer shoulders to cry on, assistance with educational expenses and assurance that their loved one’s sacrifice will not be forgotten,” Roach said.

“As the unofficial beginning of summer, let us never lose focus on what Memorial Day means. It is not about beaches, picnics or auto races. It is a day to remember. Remembering our fallen once a year is not enough. The widows, widowers, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and children remember every day. The empty seat at the dinner table, the smaller gathering at Thanksgiving and the voice of a loved one heard only as a distant memory in one’s mind, are constantly reminders that they are gone,” he said.

“Today is another opportunity for us to give thanks. We owe it to the heroes that died and loved ones left behind to make sure their sacrifices are remembered, and that their service to this nation also be honored. Real people, real stories. May God bless them all,” Roach said.

Among the parade participants was the Rumford Area Quilters. Thanks to the use of a pickup and trailer owned and operated by Andre St. Pierre, this group of quilters was able to display their work for the fourth year in a row — the 54- by 60-inch handmade lap robe quilts that they have made for veterans at the Rumford Community Home, the Victorian Villa nursing home in Canton and the Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris.

The women spent between three and four hours making each of the quilts of various designs. This year, they made lap robe quilts for 20 veterans in nursing homes.

“They are all made with love and a thank-you for their sacrifice,” quilter Arlene Thibault said.

Throughout the year, the group makes quilts for fire victims and for programs such as Newborns in Need.

Members on the float were Pat Hopkins, Annette St. Pierre, Jan Bordeau, Naomi Robertson, Louise Richard, Andre St. Pierre, Jean Boudreau and Thibault.

The group meets at 1 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the Rumford United Methodist Church in the Virginia section. Donations of cotton material is always welcomed; call Mary Pulsifer at 207-562-7050 for more information.

bfarrin@sunmediagroup.net

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