BETHEL — A number of streets will be closed to traffic Monday morning for a Memorial Day ceremony and dedication of the Honor Roll.

The ceremonies, which will be held at Honor Roll Park, will begin at 10 a.m. with a musical prelude from the Mahoosuc Community Band. Parking will be a squeeze so people should plan extra time to find parking and walk to the park, as vehicle access around the park will be blocked with barriers.

Main Street will be blocked at the corner with Vernon Street, at the corner with Chapman Street, High Street at the Tax Loft, and at the corner of Mechanic and Summer streets from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

The corner of Main and Vernon streets and the barrier at Mechanic Street will both be manned to allow those who have trouble walking to be dropped off, and drivers will be asked to park elsewhere.

Parking will be available at a number of local businesses that have worked with organizers of Monday’s ceremonies to provide parking in their lots, including the Maine Mineral Museum, The Gemini (the old Key Bank building), NAPA Auto Parts and along Summer Street to the barrier, Steam Mill Brewing Company, Michael T. Steven & Associates office at 111 Main St., High Street up to the barrier, along Main Streets and on side roads off Main Street as needed.

The park is handicap accessible and organizers will make accommodations to get people as close as possible to the gates of Honor Roll Park so they can see and hear the ceremonies. Go to one of the manned corners for access.

The Memorial Day ceremony will start with a welcome address by Jane Ryerson of Mundt Allen Unit 81 Auxiliary and invocation from Chaplain Dan Grover of Jackson Silver Post 68.

There will be remarks by Scott Cole, commander of Mundt Allen Post 81, and Harry Orcutt, commander of Jackson Silver Post 68.

The Soldier’s Prayer will be recited and, following the presentation of Miss Poppy Jocelyn Crockett, Crockett will recite “In Flanders Fields.”

The dedication of Veterans Honor Roll Park will follow the Memorial Day ceremonies.

The park, a project launched by a small group of dedicated business owners, veterans and their wives, and Auxiliary members more than a dozen years ago, recognizes and honors more than 1,350 servicemen and women from Bethel and Grafton, Mason, Albany and Riley townships who honorably served their country.

The honor roll consists of two walls of polished black granite, shouldering an obelisk, and includes veterans who served in all conflicts, starting with the Revolutionary War.

The granite walls are etched with nearly life-size images of uniformed members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps. The image of the Navy sailor is a woman.

And, on the far right and far left corners, there are legends that note whether a name carved into the granite was killed in action, missing in action or involved in multiple conflicts.

The park is bordered by a wrought-iron fence handcrafted by students from Region 9 School of Applied Technology in Mexico, and there is bench seating throughout the park for people to visit and reflect.

Work on the honor roll will continue into the future, including adding names of veterans who are currently serving and who will serve, as each are honorably discharged from service.

To make a donation for continuing upkeep of Veterans Honor Roll Park, or to purchase a paver in memory of a loved one (available in three different sizes), contact Jane Ryerson, 264 Vernon St., Bethel, Maine 04217, or email carjar95@megalink.net.

During the street closures Monday, other sections of Main Street can still be accessed as follows:

Lower Main Street, to left on Vernon Street, right on Kilborn or Tyler streets, then a right on Chapman to a left on Main.

Railroad Street to Mechanic Street to Summer Street to Elm Street to Main Street.

Railroad Street, left on Elm or Church streets, and left on Main.

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