Remembering Memorial Day in 1943
May you notice many of God’s blessings on this Memorial Day.
Since I have been writing about World War II lately, I’d like to share some photos of a Memorial Day remembrance that took place in 1943 in Ashland, Maine. All photos are by John Collier Jr. and are courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Color Guard
Remembering the Dead from World War I
The crowd at the gathering was sparse due to gasoline rationing and the fact that more than 300 men from this town of less than 1,000 had been drafted to serve in the military. The crowd was made up almost entirely of women, older men, and boys and girls. Ashland, Maine, is still a small town. It is now home to about 1,200 people.
Most of the people who attended the gathering were in the parade, so few people were there to watch the parade.
The Parade
Members of the Ashland Band in their Uniforms with Purple and Gold Trim
I wonder how many fathers of these children were away from home serving in the U.S. military.
Ashland, Maine, is near the center of the state. Maine is bordered on the west by New Hampshire and the Canadian province of Quebec. It is bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and the Canadian province of New Brunswick. This small boy was honoring the life of a Canadian soldier.
Soldiers and their families from Ashland, Maine, made sacrifices during World War II. Each of us has the opportunity to be what the apostle Paul told Timothy to be: a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
You therefore, my son,
be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.Â
The things which you have heard from me
in the presence of many witnesses,
entrust these to faithful men
who will be able to teach others also.Â
Suffer hardship with me,
as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:1-3