LEWISTON — Marching music-makers, sidewalk spectators and other participants at Saturday morning’s Memorial Day parade spanned several generations. Toddlers carrying small American flags mingled with dozens of veterans who proudly wore jackets and caps that indicated diverse military service.

There were fewer units in this year’s parade from Kennedy Park across Longley Bridge to Auburn and back to the Veterans Memorial Park in Lewiston. The count of sidewalk viewers also appeared smaller than in previous years, but the crowd grew steadily for the ceremonies at the park. Representatives of the L-A Veterans’ Council unveiled the site’s 26th granite stone inscribed with names of thousands of local veterans, living and deceased. This year’s stone commemorated the veterans of the Cold War period of 1945 to 1991.

Albert Lepine of Auburn, a U.S. Army veteran and a director of the American Cold War Veterans organization, reminded the audience that “fallout continues today” from that period of history. Although it was not a defined war, the period was marked by political upheaval and there were casualties and loss of life, he said.

“Equally important,” Lepine said, “was the winning of the Cold War peacefully.” He noted that about 20 million members of the United States military trained and served in “the highest state of readiness” through that time.

Assisting with the unveiling of the park’s latest stone was John T. Dube of Jay, retired Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy. His brother’s name, Andre L. Dube, was among the names on the stone.

Local veterans organizations also took part in the dedication of a granite bench honoring Andrew E. Morin, a “tri-vet” who served in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. It was the first of the park’s several commemorative benches with a laser-engraved photographic portrait.

U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, D-Maine, told the Memorial Day audience that our veterans “deserve nothing short of the highest dignity and respect.” He promised to give his fullest effort to correcting recently disclosed faults in Veterans Administration health care upon his return to Washington, D.C.

A special plaque from the L-A Veterans’ Council was presented by Michaud to Jerry Der Boghosian, a longtime local veterans’ advocate. He is a WWII veteran who will turn 91 years of age next week.

“It’s been a wonderful life for me,“ Der Boghosian said. “No matter where I go, people say, ‘Thank you for your service,’ and I hope it catches on.”

Other speakers Saturday morning included Gerard Dennison, constituent services representative for U.S. Sen. Angus S. King, I-Maine, who delivered a message for the senator.

Dennison, a well-known resident of the Twin Cities, added a brief story about a Lewiston native born in 1908 in an apartment building that was within sight of Saturday morning’s veteran recognition event. He worked at the Hill division of Bates Manufacturing for 41 years.

“In 1943, he was called to serve his country,” Dennison said. That tour of duty with the U.S. Army in World War II included combat in the Philippines. He returned to build a home in New Auburn, and his name is among the thousands inscribed on the granite memorial stones at Veterans Memorial Park.

“When I come to this park, I read his name on the stone, and I glance across the street where he was born and raised, and I say, ‘Thank you for your service, Dad.” Dennison’s father was Sgt. Alfred Dennison Jr.

Auburn City Councilor Tizz Crowley spoke on behalf of Auburn Mayor Jonathan LaBonte. Dressed in a gown of the Civil War era, which she wore as she marched in the parade, Crowley spoke on the history of Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day in the late 1880s.

Remarks also were delivered by state Sen. Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston, state Rep. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, Lewiston Mayor Robert Macdonald, and state Rep. Wayne Werts, D-Auburn.

A representative of U.S. Sen. Susan B. Collins, R-Maine, delivered a message in which the senator said Memorial Day “is not only about remembrance but also about resolve.”

Several musical numbers were presented by the Just Us Singers.

Among marchers along the Twin Cities parade route were youngsters from Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, as well as kilt-clad members of the Highlanders bagpipe and drum corps of the Kora Temple Shriners. About 80 members of ROAR of the Androscoggin, a marching band composed of Auburn, Lewiston and Turner high school and middle school musicians, was the parade’s largest group. Fire engines from both Lewiston and Auburn also drove the route.