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During
the winter
months of 2010 and 2011,
a group of people came up with an idea to honor veterans each
night at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Old Orchard Beach. From
Memorial Day to Labor Day, starting promptly at 6:00PM there
will be a flag raising ceremony in honor of a deceased veteran.
Family or friends of the deceased veteran have requested a night
for their loved one. Not only do they request the night but
they also help select the music and assist in planning the
ceremony itself.
The family of
the honored
veteran may bring their own flag to raise at the nightly
service. When most of us
think of the American Flag, we know it with having 50 stars.
Some of these veteran’s flags will only have 48 or 49 stars
because they
served our country so long ago.
Generally after the welcoming introduction, the flag is raised
as a patriotic song is played.
After the flag is raised, a short biography is read about the
veteran. This could include their branch of service, military
rank
and
awards received along with any other information the family
would like to share. Another song, possibly the hymn of the
veteran’s branch of service, will next be played. After the
second song is completed, a prayer may be read if requested.
Lastly as TAPS
is played,
depending on whether the family has brought their own flag, one
of two things will occur in regards to the flag. If the flag
was brought by the family, it will be lowered, folded and
returned to the family. As it is being folded, the moderator
will explain the meaning of each of the 13 folds to the flag.
If the family does not bring a flag, the
park flag
will be lowered to half-staff and then
raised again.
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