PARIS — State Rep. Jim Hamper told veterans Friday to share their war stories with others.

“Don’t let this history die with you,” the Oxford Republican legislator, told scores of veterans and others at Veterans Day ceremonies at the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

In an emotional speech, in which he thanked veterans for taking the oath to serve and protect the country, Hamper put down his prepared remarks and spoke of veterans whose service stories had influenced their lives and in turn his own.

“Make those of us who didn’t serve understand what you did,” he said.

He spoke of Harry Grimm of Mechanic Falls, a tank driver in the Battle of the Bulge, whose story was so hard to repeat that for many years he could not speak of it even to his family.

“Share your stories,” he implored, as many gave the legislator a standing ovation.

Jason M. Turgeon, post commander of the Anderson-Staples American Legion Post 112 in Oxford, welcomed the crowd to the service, introducing speakers Diane Jackson, regional representative for U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, and Carlene Tremblay, state office representative for U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.

“’To be a veteran is to have led selflessly by example,’” Jackson quoted Snowe. Tremblay read a statement from Collins in which she called for better housing, health benefits and educational benefits as repayment of the debt the country owes veterans for their service.

“’Mark this day with a humble silence,’” Tremblay read from Collins statement.

The Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School band played the national anthem and “God Bless, America” before a film honoring veterans of all wars was shown.

Boys Scouts from Troops 196 and 130 helped post the colors, and the Rev. Rick Kimball gave the invocation and benediction.

ldixon@sunjournal.com