Dear Readers,

Have you watched the cable TV news shows lately? You know the ones that feature a smiling host yelling at a panel of “experts” who dutifully agree with his or her opinion?

If so, you would think there are a lot of things wrong with America.

In the weeks before Memorial Day, your TV set tried to make you believe the holiday was created as an excuse to sell a new car, a toaster, or a pair of slacks. But it is not.

In America, and especially in small town Maine, Memorial Day is a day to remember. In my book, it is one of the things that is right with America.

If you live in Boothbay Harbor, Boothbay, Southport, Newagen, East Boothbay, Wiscasset, or dozens and dozens of small towns in Maine, you may have celebrated Memorial Day by attending a community parade.

If you went to a small town parade Monday, you saw a real slice of Americana. Old veterans marched down narrow lanes to the music of volunteer bands. Preachers preached and civic leaders gave rousing speeches Spectators applauded all the efforts and waved tiny flags.

All joined together to remember.

What ever your feelings about wars, current and past, men and women have put on the uniform and served. Some gave their lives. Since the civil war, we have lost hundreds of thousands of them.

On Monday, the old veterans marched once again and trumpet players sounded Taps. The old soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and coastal guardians, veterans who came home after their time in the service, stood at attention and raised their arms in a silent salute as they remembered friends who stayed behind.

At that moment, if you looked at the spectators, you would have seen silent men and women, standing tall, holding their hands over their hearts. Squabbling children and pets were quiet too, at least until the U.S. Marine Corps firing squad triggered their rifles in tribute.

In the crowds, a few old veterans who watched rather than joining the parade, raised their right hands in silent salute held until the trumpet's echos faded into the warm sunshine. There were no commands given. It was a spontaneous moment of respect for the fallen and their families.

For some of us, it was a chance to put a face to the word “veteran,” for many of us knew at least one, or two, of the marchers. These are our friends and neighbors, ordinary folks, who just did their duty.

A special salute and applause was directed to the elderly veterans who were unable to march. In the Boothbay region, they rode in the trolley provided by the Rocktide Inn.

They are veterans of World War II and the Korean War. As years pass, the gray headed veterans of the Vietnam War will fill the trolley's seats vacated by the passing of the members of the “Greatest Generation.”And in time, we will remember them, too.

Someday, veterans of today's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will fill the places vacated by the Vietnam Vets.

Their places will be filled by men like Ken Solorzano, a former caretaker of Treasure Island in East Boothbay, and a pair of 2012 graduates of Boothbay Region High School, Mason Leighton and Nicholas Greenleaf.

The three are members of a Maine National Guard Military Police unit serving in Afghanistan. They are scheduled to come home some time this summer and rejoin their families.

Until they come home, please, keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

I sure will.