An exciting Memorial Day ceremony
It was raining. Sullivan, Maine, was having their 8th (or 9th?) annual Memorial Day ceremony.
There was a wreath ceremony on the bridge. The audience, with raincoats and umbrellas, walked to the middle of the bridge. Men in hi-viz yellow directed traffic to slow down and move over. Graham gave a short speech on the bridge, then threw the wreath in the water. I saw it briefly – it was covered with flowers. It disappeared under the bridge quickly in the current.
We all walked back to the tent. I shook Graham’s hand. It was hard and callused. Bernie Sanders entered the tent! They were both at a rally in Orono yesterday. Sullivan is Graham’s hometown and I guess Bernie just decided to stay in Maine for the weekend.
Several people posed for photos with Bernie. I encouraged Sam to go up for one. He was the last person allowed to get a photo. He’s showing Bernie his T-shirt from 2016.
There were no speeches, just the Memorial Day ceremony, led by the locals. There was flag lowering and then a flag folding. They offered the folded flag to the daughter of a deceased fire chief from the town. Two baskets of flowers were placed at the memorial monument.
After the ceremony, more handshaking and talking with the “royalty of the blue wave,” as my sister called them. Cousin Jerry went up to Bernie and told him he loved him. I took a photo of Graham and Bernie together. I didn’t realize Jerry was waiting in the background until I looked at the photo at home!
It was a precious event. I teared up a few times. I kept thinking it must have been a relief for Graham and Bernie to attend a low-key ceremony led by others and not be under pressure for a while. Plus all the love and attention they got. I’m sure there were people there who were not enthusiastic supporters, but there were quite a few there that loved them.
Catherine~ Wow!!! What a moment for you and your family!! We would love to see Bernie for sure…but to be able to do so in such a low key way is just perfect. Yay!
It was pretty amazing!
I was honored to be part of memorializing together with all Sullivan families who have had a loss of a military loved one. A special event, thanks. John Keenan
It was very special, thank you.
It must have felt so encouraging to be there. Moments like these give me hope.
It was very encouraging, Stephanie. A peaceful, heartfelt ceremony. As the politics heat up this summer before the election, I am feeling more of a need to step back. I need a longer-term perspective. Bernie has been at this for a lot of years and he’s done so much.