As many towns canceled Memorial Day services, Dresden stalwarts dodged the raindrops to conduct the 62nd ceremony honoring the town’s deceased veterans at the Pownalborough Courthouse on Monday, May 30.

“While other towns are involved in the longer parades, none reach from a spiritual place like the one we are at, “ said Lincoln County Historical Association President Ed Kavanagh.

Pownalborough Courthouse Steward Jay Robbins said that tradition called for residents to congregate at the flag and walk to the graveyard, where lilac bouquets are placed on nine veterans’ graves. The veterans buried there are from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War, he said.

Residents Dave Probert and Julia Simpson did the honors of placing the flowers.

Masons from Dresden Lodge 103 assisted in the ceremony.

Reenactor Jeff Miller of Waldoboro was given the honor of hoisting the flag from half mast to the top of the pole as the Masons saluted.

Robbins said that the ceremony omitted a gun salute in deference to an eagles’ nest in a pine tree behind the historic courthouse. Memorial Day is the traditional opening for visitors to the courthouse, built in 1761, he said.

Mason John Ottum said that he felt it is important for him and his fellow Masons to pay respect to the town’s veterans.