JAY/LIVERMORE FALLS — Memorial Day is a time to reflect upon the sacrifices of servicemen and women who have contributed to the freedoms that U.S. citizens enjoy and often take for granted.

On Monday, a solemn parade featuring veterans and affiliated groups made its way through Jay and Livermore Falls, stopping at several points along the way. Large but subdued crowds lined the streets and listened to the speakers and the melodic sounds of the Spruce Mountain High School band performing patriotic songs.

At the Chisholm Monument, an opening prayer was given by WWII veteran Don LeSuer.

“We know by seeing so many white crosses in foreign lands that freedom is not free,” he said.

The Spruce Mountain High School band played the national anthem and then VFW Post 3335 commander Craig Dufour introduced the speaker, Sen. Tom Saviello of Wilton.

“We thank them, we honor them, and we are proud of these special people,” said Saviello.

He asked people to remember the legacy of veterans. Saviello recalled the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., who was shot three different times in three different Civil War battles and had every reason to be bitter. On the contrary, though, Holmes was grateful to have had the chance to preserve the nation.

In a speech from May 30, 1884, Holmes posed the question so many were asking then, and still ask today: Why do people still keep recognizing Memorial Day?

“It celebrates solid reformation from year to year of a national act of enthusiasm and faith,” said Holmes. “To fight a war, you must want something or believe something with all your might.”

Saviello noted that on April 22, 1861, Gov. Israel Washburn stood in front of the Maine Legislature and asked if they would send their neighbors, their family, and their friends off to fight in the Civil War. The Legislature voted to do so, at a time when each individual state had the power to decide whether or not to send its residents into battle.

In the words of Washburn: “The union is to be protected not by Republicans, not by Democrats, but by people who love their country.”

After Saviello spoke of these historic events, the firing squad fired a series of volleys, and the band played taps.

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