Hundreds of people turned out for this year’s Biddeford-Saco Memorial Day ceremony, which was held this year at Waterhouse Field in Biddeford.
Because of an ongoing sewer/road repair project, Main Street in Biddeford and Saco could not be closed to traffic for a parade,
Organizers of this year’s ceremony — who have been working together for several weeks — say they were pleased by the turnout, the good weather and the participation of local high school and middle school marching bands.
The Rev. Shirly Bowen gave this year’s invocation, reminding attendees that Memorial Day is about much more than barbecues and the unofficial beginning of summer.
“We begin by giving thanks,” Bowen told the crowd. “Those lost in battle demonstrated the kind of courage that most of us could not imagine.”
“Those lost in battle demonstrated
— Rev. Shirley Bowen
the kind of courage that most of us
could not imagine.”
Don Chretien, a Biddeford native, recalled his days as a young helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War.
Chretien told the crowd that he joined the U.S. Marine Corps right after graduating from the University of Maine in 1967. Chretien pointed out that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in April 1975.
More than 58,000 American men and women lost their lives in combat during that war.
Chretien recalled some of his painful losses, telling those gathered that his helicopter squadron lost three pilots and an entire five-man crew.
He also shared a personal story about a close friend, who died when he was just 23 years old. Chretien described Marty Benson as a “warm and friendly man,” a person always willing to step up to a challenge. Benson died only three months after arriving in Vietnam.
Notable dignitaries at this year’s event included all the members of the Biddeford-Saco legislative delegation; members of the Biddeford and Saco city councils; Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman and Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail.
Kayla Lewis, a U.S. Navy veteran, served as master of ceremonies; and the event’s Grand Marshal was Ray Hallczuk — a U.S. Air Force veteran — who laid a Memorial wreath as the crowd took to their feet while Taps was played and the U.S flag was lowered to half-mast.
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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