Waterville holds Veterans Day parade, ceremony

WATERVILLE, Maine (WABI) -Waterville honored veterans Wednesday morning with a parade and ceremony recognizing those who have served.

Parade route

The parade began at Head of Falls Park and circled downtown. Community groups, local law enforcement and residents took part.

Waterville Boy and Girl Scouts marched in the parade. Scouts from Troop 445, Lorelei, Jude and Reese, said marching for veterans made them happy.

“Veterans work hard, so it’s okay to celebrate them,” Jude said.

“We have to celebrate them so that they know we support them for Veterans Day,” Reese said.

“I think it’s very important to be celebrated,” Lorelei said.

“I just want to honor everybody that has ever, and I mean ever, served in the military,” said Fox, of Troop 433.

“I like to honor the people who serve in our country, those living and dead, and thank them for protecting our country,” said Freddie, of Troop 433.

Ceremony at Castonguay Square

The parade ended at Castonguay Square, where Waterville Legion Post Commander Craig Bailey hosted a ceremony. The ceremony included the national anthem, a prayer and moments of silence.

“Each time new people put on the uniform, they carry on the legacy of the professionalism, the integrity, and the means to which we go around the world, with good or bad, to help spread that freedom,” Bailey said.