OXFORD — Music, courtesy of the 195th Army National Guard Band out of Bangor, filled the air around the Anderson Staples American Legion Post 112 on King Street on Tuesday as well over a hundred people listened to the patriotic, orchestral tunes and honored the man who made the concert series possible more than 20 years ago.

In 1994, state Rep. Ted Heidrich, who passed away in 2010 at age 79, brought music to the community, which embraced him and his family when they moved here 30 years ago.

“It was a way that he could give back to the community,” Heidrich’s wife, Eleanor, said. “He wanted it to be free for the people to come and enjoy the music. That was his way.”

The music continued at the Legion Post in Oxford for 20 seasons until 2014, when the grounds remained silent for the summer. This year, when the American Legion members decided to revive the free summer outdoor concerts, they decided to honor Heidrich at the same time by renaming the series after him.

“This historically has been known as the American Legion Concerts in the Park Series,” Post 112 Service Officer Rick Nugent said. “When we didn’t have the concerts last year, it was missed. So we brought it back this year and from now on, it is forever going to be known as the Ted Heidrich Memorial Concerts.”

The event held much pomp and circumstance as the band played.

“We love doing events like this,” said acting 1st Sgt. Tony Cyrus of the 195th Army National Guard Band. “We’ve modified our program to do some additional patriotic songs that we don’t normally include.”

State Sen. James Hamper, R-Oxford, remembered his friend and mentor. He said Heidrich was committed to his country and state. He served in the Marines and the Legislature. In fact, Hamper said, Heidrich was about to retire from serving in the Legislature when the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks happened.

“He told me he was too old to be a Marine, but ‘darn it, I want to serve,’” Hamper said.

So Heidrich did another term in office. The prominent community leader served in the Legislature from 1999 to 2004. He used his time there to advocate for veterans. He also founded the Western Maine contingent of the Marine Corps League.

Heidrich’s wife and more than a dozen family members attended the ceremony. Eleanor received a bouquet of roses, a certificate explaining the renaming and a plaque that officially renamed the concert series and which will be mounted in the center of the concert stage for the duration of the series.

“Ted would have been so humbled to have this done for him,” Eleanor said. “I’m so glad Ted and I moved here 30 years ago.”

The concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. The Ladies Auxiliary offers hot dogs, chips, drinks and baked goods, while the legionnaires conduct a raffle to support the concert series and other community events, and raise funds for their many veterans’ programs.

The next Ted Heidrich Memorial Concert is scheduled Aug. 4, when High Ryder will bring their Golden Oldies Show to the community.