SANFORD, Maine (WGME) — While some may see Monday as the unofficial start to summer, Maine leaders are using Memorial Day to honor those who served and sacrificed for our country.

There are more than 1,200 burials at the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery. Veterans here Monday say each one of these gravestones not only represent an American who fought for this country, but someone who never asked anything in return for their sacrifice.

“Memorial Day is unlike any other day. Memorial Day is a national day of recognition,” U.S. Navy veteran Captain James Mentor said.

“I am visiting Jeffery Travis,” Ruthel LeTournaeu said. “He was my significant other. It’s kinda peaceful actually, I try to make it easy.”

Among the many Monday checking in on their relatives was Senator Susan Collins reminding Mainers what Memorial Day truly means.

“As we come together today, as we look at the rows of headstones, the flowers, and the flags, we see our history,” Collins said.

Other Maine leaders paying their respects to fallen veterans as well, including Senator Angus King.

“Celebrate Memorial Day have a great time with friends and family, but stop for a minute to remember the sacrifices of those who made it all possible,” King said.

While some may see Monday as the unofficial start to summer, Maine leaders are using Memorial Day to honor those who served. (WGME)

Governor Mills honoring veterans in Gouldsboro Monday writing to CBS 13: “We thank the men and women whose lives were lost in combat in the past, and we pray for the prompt return of those now serving in foreign lands.”

It’s been a somber few weeks in Maine with the passing of two Mainers: Maine game warden Joshua Tibbetts, who died in a plane crash, and Morrill firefighter Andrew Cross, who lost his life battling an intense blaze in Searsmont.

Senator Collins also in Searsmont, marching in a Memorial Day parade where firefighter Cross was honored.

A coastal place with a neighborly spirit, Maine is a must-see for anyone drawn to close-knit communities and natural scenery. The state is home to some of the friendliest towns where festivals, parades, and traditions anchor the calendar. In Lewiston and Biddeford summertime Art Walks bring residents and visitors together to celebrate local artists. Scarborough and Brunswick host outdoor music events that fill warm evenings with live performances. Bangor runs a downtown arts scene while Augusta keeps its historic landmarks and family-friendly green spaces. Each of these nine towns offers easy ways to connect with regional culture.

Lewiston

Central to Maine’s Franco-American heritage, Lewiston is a town soaked in history, with plenty of activities to enjoy. The town is home to the Maine Museum of Innovation, Learning, and Labor, a unique museum offering hands-on learning experiences of all kinds. The town hosts several events focused on community building and supporting local talent and businesses. One of them is Art Walk LA, a summer series that transforms downtown into a lively arts district where you can enjoy artwork from local artists. The Great Falls Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park is an annual tradition featuring hot-air balloon launches, live music, and family-friendly activities. This one is a yearly highlight.

Bangor

With its waterfront trails and verdant forests and woodlands, Bangor is a nature lover’s destination. Take a hike along the Orono Bog Boardwalk in Bangor City Forest in the autumn to enjoy the fall foliage, or enjoy views of the water on the Bangor Waterfront Trail. The Bangor Historical Society is dedicated to promoting the town’s history and attracting tourists, with several walking tours available for visitors to enjoy. Stephen King fans can trace several Bangor landmarks associated with the author’s fictional Derry, including the 31-foot Paul Bunyan statue on Main Street near the Cross Insurance Center. Bangor’s community spirit also comes through in First Friday Art Walks, volunteer-produced monthly downtown arts events, and the Downtown Bangor Sidewalk Art Festivals, which bring Maine artists and artisan crafters into the city.

Scarborough

A coastal town on the beaches bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Scarborough, Maine, is a summertime destination. Enjoy a day at Scarborough Beach State Park, with access to the water and trails near the beach. The town hosts several community events in the summer months, including the Summer Concert Series in Memorial Park, where you can listen to live music from local musicians and bands. Scarborough also hosts the annual Summer Fest in August, featuring live music, activities, and food provided by local vendors to celebrate the community.

Biddeford

A small town bordering the point where the Saco River meets the Atlantic Ocean, Biddeford is a beach town with so much to offer. To support local arts and businesses, Biddeford hosts a monthly ArtWalk, featuring works by local artists in restaurants and cafes around town. Each month’s ArtWalk showcases different artists and businesses, and can even include street performances. The Biddeford Mills Museum works tirelessly to keep the region’s history alive, hosting tours of the town’s textile mill buildings for an immersive educational experience. The town hosts several annual events to drive tourism to the region and foster community, including Winterfest, held every February, and River Jam, held in August.

Brunswick

A college town on the Androscoggin River, Brunswick combines community with rich culture. The Maine State Music Theatre hosts Broadway-quality performances, while the Bowdoin College Museum of Art is one of the museums on the Maine Art Museum Trail. The Brunswick Town Mall plays host to the town’s Summer Concert Series, with live performances from local musicians performing all summer long. The annual Bowdoin International Music Festival brings a wide variety of music and music lovers to Brunswick every year to celebrate culture and the arts.

Sanford

With walking trails that take you through downtown, old mill buildings, grand houses, and woodlands, Sanford, Maine, is a town filled with history and adventure. Take a walk along the Mousam River, enjoying the serene sights of nature, and see the local wildlife. Sports lovers can enjoy baseball season by catching games of local college players on the Sanford Mainers team. With a slower pace of life, Sanford provides a blend of easy living with community values.

Saco

Located on the shores of Saco Bay, the town of Saco, Maine, is a community worth exploring. A visit to the Saco Museum to learn about the region’s history is a must for an educational day trip. Navigate the hiking trails in the Horton Woods, or spend a beach day in Ferry Beach State Park, walking along the boardwalk or enjoying the water. Saco’s Main Street is part of the Main Street Maine Community, an organization dedicated to supporting local downtown businesses and hosting many events on the main strip to foster community among townspeople and visitors alike.

Augusta

Located in the Kennebec Valley, Augusta, Maine, feels like stepping back in time. The historic downtown features buildings with ornate Victorian-era architecture. The town has several museums and historical monuments. A visit to Old Fort Western, a National Historic Landmark and living history museum, offers public tours of the fort, store, and house led by costumed interpreters. With over six miles of trails, the Viles Arboretum is a great place to take friends and family to enjoy nature’s beauty.

Gorham

Home of the University of Southern Maine, Gorham, Maine, is a small town promoting community and family values. The Gorham Sports Center is an indoor facility for rentals and indoor community soccer leagues. Gorham Parks & Recreation offers an adult co-ed softball program in the summer at Gorham High School’s softball field, bringing the town together around sporting events. Families especially appreciate the numerous summer camp programs for kids, which offer educational and enriching experiences to keep kids occupied all summer long. The town hosts an annual Memorial Day Parade, where the community gathers to celebrate the long weekend together. The Cross Town Trail is a 1.5-mile easy rail-trail along an old railroad bed, with trailheads at the end of Hutcherson Drive and on New Portland Road at Tink Drive.

The Friendliest Towns in Maine

These nine towns prove that community is at the heart of Maine’s core values. Through their events, these Maine towns promote their artists and musicians to wider audiences through the Summer Concert Series and Art Walks, going above and beyond to cultivate their regional culture.