Thumbs Up to Memorial Day, 2023:
to the parade participants – the color guard and other dignitaries, the band and the floats, the scouts and the school children, the horses and the tractors, the fire trucks and the antique vehicles, all forming a procession representing small town, rural life;
to the Congregational Church for preparing a delicious breakfast;
to the Hampton General Store for providing popcorn;
to the Gazette for another fabulous barbecue;
to the “Barstool Diplomats” who entertained picnickers in the pavilion;
to the Historical Society for opening its new exhibit in the barn;
to the Naval Ceremony at the Little River;
and to the ceremony at Town Hall, those who prayed with us, those who sang for us, those who recognized our veterans, past and present, and especially those World War II veterans, whose words were compiled by our Editor, and read by family members and neighbors: Allan Cahill, Renee Cuprak, Mark Davis, Dale Demontigny, Al Freeman, Andrea Gaines, Bob Grindle, Dave Halbach, Maggie Jones, Connor Loew, June Miller, Mary Oliver, Rich Schenk, Amy Thornton, Gay Wagner.

Many, many of those present remarked that this was the most moving of Memorial Day Addresses – indeed, it was the first time “you could have heard a pin drop” — for the power of the words, read with the reverence they deserved.

Thank you to all.