Community members gathered in rain showers on Monday morning to mark Memorial Day with speeches, musical selections, the playing of Taps, and the laying of a commemorative wreath at Veterans Monument in the Upper Village.

The ceremony, organized by Amvets Lunn-Hunnewell Post 6, followed a parade that began at Memorial School. Book-ended by police cruisers and fire trucks, the parade included the GNG High School and Middle School bands, community groups and teams, candidates, candy and more.

Among those waiting expectantly for the parade to round the corner were a former New Gloucester resident, Kristel, now living in Poland, and her two daughters, ages 5 and 1. They were back in New Gloucester, Kristel said, to connect with and continue a family tradition of attending New Gloucester’s Memorial Day that began when she was young, and above all, “to honor and remember.”