It’s a bit sad to see it go, but the decision to ban the practice of throwing candy during the Damariscotta Memorial Day parade is probably a good one, although less so we think, than for the reasons of cavity fighting or safety.
Both are legitimate concerns, of course, and either on its own merits might have been reason enough to scuttle the practice.
However, we think it’s a better move because it might help tone down the usual festival atmosphere of the occasion, specifically because of the occasion. This is Memorial Day. It is the anti-holiday, holiday.
It’s a day of mourning for those who gave all in service of their country.
It is a day to give thanks for all their sacrifice has given us.
This year we are pleased to feature several outstanding articles in honor of this occasion. We offer Laurie McBurnie’s reflection on her visit to Gettysburg on page 1B, truly hallowed ground and a must-see for any American.
Calvin and Marjorie Dodge have contributed an excellent addition to their Damariscotta History series on Memorial Days past and, on our front page, Joe Gelarden’s visit with three WWII veterans brings the meaning of the day home, particularly when Joe Gray remembers his cousin, Allan Lucas; shot down with 87 other unarmed American soldiers during the Battle of the Bulge.
It is men like Lucas that we honor at this time, the men who didn’t come home.
While we gratefully take this day to spend it with family and friends, maybe break out the grill, hit the beach if it’s hot enough, we don’t do so lightly. It is not just a day off. It is not just a reason to engage in a joyful, mad scramble for candy.
It’s the day to savor being an American and celebrate the freedoms that almost everyday, most of us take for granted.
Most importantly, this is the time to remember the ones who paid for our freedom in blood.
