Local veterans organizations and their auxiliaries plan to hold wreath-laying services Monday, May 29 at select war memorials in the area.

Jay VFW Post 3335, American Veterans Post 33, American Legion Post 10, and their auxiliaries will have members participating in these time-honored recognitions, according to a news release from Jim Manter, VFW Post 3335 judge advocate.

The ceremony at each location will include Color Guard, wreath laying, prayers, and firing squad.

All veterans, public service departments, and community members are encouraged to attend. The ceremony will kick off at 7 a.m. in Leeds and then progress to Fayette, Livermore Falls, Jay and Livermore.

“We are changing the order of memorials, to maximize time and accommodate other days activities. We still have to limit which memorials we perform honors at, as we just don’t have enough veteran members participating anymore to hit all area locations,” said VFW Post Cmdr. Ricky Merrill.

The schedule for this year’s events:

• Leeds War Memorial, 7 a.m., Route 106 and Church Hill Road

• Fayette War Memorial, 7:35 a.m., Route 17, 2589 Main St.

• Livermore Falls Union Park, 8:05 a.m., corner of Park and Unions streets.

• Jay War Memorial, 8:25 a.m., Chisolm Square, Route 4 and Jewel Street, in front of St. Rose Church.

• Livermore Falls Memorial Bridge, 8:40 a.m., Route 4

• Livermore Brettuns War Memorial, 9:05 a.m., Route 4, Federal Road and Church Street.

“Times are approximate and could vary slightly, earlier or later, based on travel and traffic delays while traveling to each memorial location,” said Manter. “However, we will begin promptly at each location, when the honors teams arrive, so we ask the community and public to please be patient, and flexible in our timing and schedule. The same people participating in the honors teams, are also preparing for the annual chicken barbecue, and we need to share the resources.”

The VFW plans to hold its traditional chicken barbecue at 1 p.m. as well.

“The menu will be a huge half chicken, and includes macaroni salad, chips, and a homemade cookies,” said Dave Lachapelle, the post quartermaster. “Again this year, this BBQ is huge in our fundraising efforts, and traditionally is our largest benefit of the year. Our success on this one event sets the tone for our ability to support various scholarships and donations to local citizens and community members.”

“We also are going to add a touch of wood roasting, for unique flavoring from the traditional BBQ pit,” said Manter, who recently won a Veterans BBQ competition in Kansas City. “Cost will be $12, and our team is extremely proud of being able to keep the cost down, and procure enough chicken for the annual BBQ, with all the supply chain challenges, but our supply is limited.”

Those who plan to attend are asked to place their order by Friday, May 26, by calling 207-897-2122.

Indoor dining will be offered, but by reservation only when chicken order is placed.

“We are proud to offer another outreach for our community this year. We will be asking our dinner patrons to bring by a non-perishable food product that we are collecting for our local food pantries. We hope to initiate this to support our food-challenged veterans and community members,” said Manter.

Check out other upcoming area events!