WEST PARIS – About 300 residents and guests gathered Monday for the town’s 46th annual Memorial Day observance.

The parade stepped off at 11 a.m. to Memorial Bridge on High Street, where prayers were offered by Pastor Lloyd Waterhouse in memory of sailors who lost their lives at sea. Following the prayers, Legion Auxiliary member Doreen Wilbur cast a floral wreath on the Little Androscoggin River.

The parade reformed and marched through the village to Wayside Cemetery. There prayers were offered by Pastor Bruce Tyner and a commemorative address was given by Waterhouse, who asked people to never forget those who died to keep America free.

“Never forget the sacrifices others have made us,” he said.

Flags were placed on the graves of veterans by some of the town’s young people, a 21-gun salute was offered by the firing squad from the Ring-McKeen American Legion Post, and Taps was played.

The parade wound its way back to the town’s War Memorial where a final prayer was offered by Pastor Tyner and the gathering joined in the singing of “God Bless America.”

Grand marshals for this year’s parade were Sylvia Allen and Faye Abbott. They were given the honor in memory of their husbands, who died during the past year.

Also in the parade was the Ring-McKeen American Legion Post color guard, Legion Auxiliary members, units from the West Paris and Greenwood fire departments, Tri-Town Ambulance and Rescue Service, and scouts.

Providing cadence and patriotic marches was the Oxford Hills Middle School Band.