LEWISTON — The mayors of Lewiston and Auburn called attention to veterans services during the Veterans Day ceremony at the Lewiston Memorial Armory on Wednesday morning.

Lewiston Mayor Robert E. Macdonald thanked members of Maine’s Congressional delegation for their efforts in addressing issues related to providing of services to local veterans by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

“It has now been straightened out,” he said.

Macdonald reminded the audience that even when a veteran has come home, “the war never ends.” He said wounds may be visible or invisible, but the evidence of sacrifice is always present.

Auburn Mayor Jonathan P. LaBonte called attention to a pair of programs aimed at recognizing and assisting veterans.

He said the Blue Star Flag program honors residents who are waiting for a loved one to return home from military service. Family members of servicemen and women who are deployed overseas in combat areas are invited to receive a Blue Star Flag to hang in their homes as a symbol of support from the city.

LaBonte added that Auburn is a strong supporter of the Hire-A-Vet program and he urged veterans to apply.

Representatives of U.S. Sen. Angus King, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and Rep. Bruce Poliquin also read messages.

In Sen. King’s message, Gerard F. Dennison, constituent services representative, told the audience that “we should all be proud that over 127,000 Maine citizens today have served in the military.”

An audience of nearly 100 friends and family members applauded the veterans who passed in review. Flags of the five military branches were carried across the front of the auditorium as a dozen members of “Just Us” Entertainers sang each service’s song.

Marchers representing several local veterans organizations that make up the L&A Veterans Council passed in review. They were American Legion Post 22, Lewiston; American Legion Post 153, Auburn; AMVETS Post 6, New Gloucester; Disabled American Veterans Chapter 11; Franco-American War Veterans Post 31, Lewiston; and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9150, Lewiston.

Also passing in review were representatives of the Knights of Columbus, and the Air Force Junior ROTC of Lewiston High School.

The musical program emphasized salutes to the veterans. The Edward Little High School marching band presented a medley of themes from superhero movies and concluded with a rendition of “This Is My Country.”

The ELHS contingent of about two dozen smartly uniformed musicians was augmented by two flag twirlers.

The “Just Us” Entertainers, accompanied by keyboardist Nel Meservier, sang
several numbers, including “What America Means to Me,” “The Longest Day,” “America the Beautiful” and God Bless America,” with the audience joining in on the last two. This popular vocal group is spread across two families, three generations and over six decades.

Serving as master of ceremonies was Jerry Dewitt, chairman of the L&A Veterans Council.

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