To the Editor:

The following events will be taking place in the next two weeks at Jackson-Silver Post 68, Locke’s Mills.

The Post Commander and Auxiliary Unit Secretary will host the Cpl. Harold A. Lurvey Never Forget WWI Photo Exhibit at the Hall of Flags, Maine State House, on Monday, May 22, from 0900 to 1600 hours (4 p.m.).

The individual whose scrapbook inspired this exhibit, Rumford-born Cpl. Harold A. Lurvey (Beverly Melville’s uncle), deserves to be honored and remembered for the sacrifices he made for Maine and the Nation in the service that he rendered. Having his collection of images shown in a sacred place like the Capitol’s Hall of Flags, even for one day, may inspire those who preserve such items of historical significance to identify a permanent home for the exhibit.

Lurvey’s memorable photos tell the story from 1914 to the end of the occupation of Germany in late 1919. As a member of the 26th Yankee (New England) Division, his was the first fully organized Division to reach France, though the First Division (The Big Red One), had been organized in France out of an initial set of Regiments first arriving in the American Expeditionary Forces. Lurvey served in both. Twelve days before the Armistice in 1918, he was transferred into the First Division, and remained with them throughout the occupation which ended in October 1919. He was a Charter member of Jackson-Silver Post 68, and later in 1951, he was a Charter member of Mundt-Allen Post 81 in Bethel.

Memorial Day is only two weeks away. Flagging will take place at Greenwood cemeteries containing veteran graves the week preceding Memorial Day. At 0900 hours, the doors will open at Jackson-Silver Post on Monday, May 29, and ceremonies will be held in the Great Hall.  The Mahoosuc Band has been engaged to supply the musical selections.

At 1100 hours, Post members will conduct an additional ceremony, which was our custom before the advent of the Wuhan Virus, at the East Bethel Burial Ground. After returning to the Post, it is anticipated that members will attend the Daughters of Union Veterans ceremonies in Woodstock, which traditionally have begun at 1300 hours (1 p.m.).

Harry G. Orcutt

Commander Post 68

Locke’s Mills