REGION — Veteran organizations and their auxiliaries will hold services on Monday, May 27, in Fayette, Livermore and Livermore Falls to honor and remember those who never made it home from service to their country.

Jay Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3335, American Veterans Post 33, George Bunten Post 10 American Legion, and their auxiliaries will have members participating. The wreath lying ceremony at each location will also include color guard presentation, prayers, and firing squad.

The order of memorials is being changed to maximize time and accommodate other activities on Monday, according to VFW Post Commander Ricky Merrill and incoming Commander Abbie Dodgins. Memorials where honors are performed must still be limited as there aren’t enough veteran members participating to hit all area locations, it was noted.

The first service will take place at the Fayette Municipal Building Memorial at 7:15 a.m. The second will take place at 7:45 a.m. at Brettuns War Memorial at the intersection of Route 4/Federal Road and Church Street in Livermore with the third at 8:10 a.m. on Livermore Falls Memorial Bridge.

“Times are approximate and could vary slightly, earlier or later, based on travel and traffic delays while traveling to each memorial location,” VFW judge advocate Jim Manter stated. “However, we will begin promptly at each location when the honors teams arrive. We ask the community and public to please be patient, and flexible in our timing and schedule. The same people participating in the honors teams are also preparing for the area parade and annual chicken barbeque, and we need to share the resources.”

All veterans, public service departments, and community members are invited to attend.

This year there will also be a community parade, starting at 10 a.m. at MEMCO, 102 Main Street, in Jay. The color guard and firing squad will march and present honors at the Jay War Memorial Square, Richardson Cemetery, and Union Park, Manter noted. “Over 38 units will be in the parade. We’re excited to be part of this community event,” Manter added.

“Memorial Day honors those who lost their lives while in service to the United States during peace and war,” according to the military.com website about Memorial Day. Observed on the last Monday of May, it is a day to honor members of the military who were killed in service, both during deployments overseas or in training and service in the U.S., the site notes.

The VFW will also be holding its traditional chicken barbeque at 12:30 p.m. The menu will be a half chicken, macaroni salad, chips, and a homemade cookie, according to Dave Lachapelle, VFW service officer. “Again this year, this barbeque is huge in our fund raising efforts, and traditionally is our largest benefit of the year,” he stated. “Our success on this one event sets the tone for our ability to support various scholarships and donations to local citizens and community members. We also are going to add a touch of wood roasting for unique flavoring from the traditional barbeque pit. It will be superb.”

Cost is $12. The team is extremely proud to be able to keep the cost down and procure enough chicken, but supply is limited. Pre-order of meals is required by Friday, May 24, by calling 207-897-2122.

Indoor dining will be offered, but by reservation only when the order is placed.