BIDDEFORD — For many, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, and a day off from work or school celebrated with family get-togethers and other festivities. Local students learned this week that the day has a deeper meaning.
Memorial Day, a federal holiday observed the fourth Monday of May, was established originally to honor those who died in the Civil War and later became a day to honor all American veterans who sacrificed their lives for our country.
For about 30 years, Vietnam veteran Raoul Goulet has helped organize an annual event to put flags on veterans’ graves at St. Joseph’s cemetery. On Thursday morning, Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club members joined fourth graders from Biddeford Intermediate School and fifth graders from Biddeford Middle School in this year’s effort.
“The Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club is honored to be part of this project, as we have been for many years. It reminds us all of the meaning of Memorial Day,” said Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club President Martin Grohman.
Goulet spoke to the students about his time serving as a combat photographer and discussed the importance of honoring veterans. Students were given flags after Goulet told them the proper way to place them, and they spread through the cemetery looking for veterans’ graves.
Fourth graders Jason Mbele and Mousa Al-Ghezi eagerly scouted out veterans’ graves, flags in hand. As they placed the flags, they paused for a moment to read the graves and learn who they were honoring.
“They are so excited. We did a nice presentation yesterday, so they understand why we’re here and what to do,” said teacher Lori Flynn.
On Memorial Day, a group will gather at St. Joseph’s Cemetery at the central flagpole at noon to raise the US Flag to full staff, with each grave of a veteran in the cemetery marked with a flag.
In all, 2,000 flags were provided by the City of Biddeford. The flags will be removed in late June and reused next year.
Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.
