LEWISTON — Several hundred veterans, relatives and Twin Cities residents gathered at Veterans Memorial Park Saturday morning for Memorial Day ceremonies.

Following a downtown parade and speeches by dignitaries, the latest of 23 granite monuments was dedicated. Each of the 5-foot stones bears about 220 names of servicemen and women of the Lewiston-Auburn area and the heading on each honors a different branch or unit of the military, as well as a central stone in memory of the sinking of the Battleship Maine.

The 23rd stone was engraved with the Army National Guard insignia and was unveiled by the three principal speakers at the Memorial Day event, U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe, Maine’s Second District Congressman Michael D. Michaud, and Lt. Col. Dwaine Drummond, representing the Maine Army National Guard.

Snowe told the veterans and their families that Saturday’s parade and ceremony were special to her because it marks the final time she will be taking part in the L-A event as a senator. She will not be seeking a fourth term.

“It is all the more poignant that I share in this ritual of immeasurable respect for our veterans here in my hometown of Lewiston and Auburn, where my roots run deep, and where it all began for me,” she said.

“Memorial Day is not a holiday of celebration, but of commemoration,” she added. “We rightly venerate these exceptional servicemen and women who answered their nation’s call to pursue the most valiant purposes, and whose example is the best of all of us, the best of humanity, and the best of this great land we treasure. Their long-standing, unwavering legacy of sacrifice is the strength upon which the pearls of liberty and freedom and democracy have been strung.”

Congressman Michaud paid tribute to “the tremendous commitment” of the L-A area’s veterans in working to bring a Veterans Clinic to Lewiston.

“For more than seven years, you have worked to establish the clinic here in Lewiston, and today I am very proud to stand here and say that we do have a state-of-the-art facility that’s ready to offer primary care, mental health care, and a range of specialty care including optometry and audiology.”

Lt. Col. Drummond, who commanded Charlie Company of the 133rd Engineering Battalion at the Lewiston Armory a few years ago, said, “As a new veteran, I recognize that this title comes with great responsibility. As we drop the sword of battle, we must pick up the burden of preparing our nation to receive and support the next generation of veterans.”

Lewiston Mayor Robert Macdonald reminded the audience of the 1969 battle death in Vietnam of a Lewiston serviceman, Medal of Honor recipient Spec 4 Thomas J. McMahon. He was like many ordinary citizens thrust into exceptional circumstances, he said.

“Please don’t dishonor them by calling them heroes,“ he said. “They were more than heroes. They were patriots, all.”

Auburn Mayor Jonathon Labonte thanked veterans for their sacrifices, and he reminded citizens that their everyday lives would not be possible if it were not for those sacrifices.

“Don’t take it for granted,” he said.

Bethel Shields, who heads Maine’s chapter of the Gold Star Mothers, also spoke, and a letter from U.S. Sen. Susan Collins was read by a representative of her office.

The morning parade, which took about 20 minutes to pass, began at Kennedy Park in Lewiston and proceeded across the river to Auburn and then back to Veterans Memorial Park. The march featured several smart-stepping units including about 100 members of Androscoggin ROAR, a combined band of musicians from Edward Little High School, Lewiston High School and Leavitt Area High School marched.

Snowe, Michaud, the mayors of Lewiston and Auburn, and several state legislators and local city council members also marched.

The ceremonies included laying a wreath at the “Price of Freedom” monument, which stands at the head of Main Street. Firing of a salute was followed by “Taps” played by Roger Renaud.

Bert Dutil, former chairman of the L-A Veterans Council served as master of ceremonies and the “Just Us” vocal ensemble sang.