More than 1,000 view parade, hundreds gather for ceremony.

Byline: Bill Fortier

AUBURN - People started lining up along Auburn Street and Drury Square about an hour before the 40-minute-long Memorial Day parade stepped off at 10 a.m.

Spectators saw 125 Shriners motor down Auburn Street toward Hillside Cemetery on Central Street in their traditional go-carts and antique vehicles.

Various civic groups and members of the Board of Selectmen threw candy to children. Among the features in the parade were five vintage military vehicles owned by Ernest L. Johnson of Ward Road, a former sergeant for the U.S. Army in Germany who said he started collecting his fleet about two years ago.

A troop carrier from World War II carried a banner touting "Homes for Our Troops," a nonprofit organization started in 2004 that raises money and builds homes for military personnel who have suffered serious injuries in Iraq or Afghanistan, said Mr. Johnson, a volunteer for the Taunton-based organization.

Town historian Kenneth Ethier drove a World War II ambulance that carried Paul P. LeClair, who fought in that war. When the vehicle reached the spot on Auburn Street where Raymond T. Giddings, another veteran from that war, was standing, Mr. LeClair got out of the ambulance and shook his hand.

After the 45-minute Memorial Day ceremony at Hillside Cemetery, Mr. Ethier said Mr. LeClair, who couldn't march in the parade this year, made him promise he would stop the ambulance to let him shake Mr. Giddings' hand.

"I was really touched by that," Mr. Ethier said.

Veteran's Agent Larry Corbin estimated that about 1,000 people watched yesterday's parade on the warmest day of the spring.

"It was a good parade," Mr. Corbin said about 30 minutes before the American flag was scheduled to be raised at Chester P. Tuttle American Legion Post 279 at 1 p.m.

The real reason for the holiday was expressed by William Barbour, the deputy vice-commander of the state American Legion, at exercises at Hillside Cemetery where several hundred people watched.

"This is not about the beach and picnics," he said. "This is a day to remember."

"Remembering our fallen soldiers once a year is not enough," he added during his talk.

Several minutes earlier, Chester P. Tuttle American Legion Post 279 Commander Eddie A. Jameson, said as of 9 a.m. yesterday 4,082 servicemen and women, including 80 from Massachusetts, had been killed in what he termed the war on terrorism.

Mr. Barbour praised Phyllis Gallant, 87, the post's chaplain, who has been carrying "our national colors" at the head of the Memorial Day parade for 51 years.

Mr. Barbour, who has spoken at Auburn's exercises for the past several years, also said the American Legion has started the American Legion Legacy Fund that raises money for the children of soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Among those speaking yesterday was Interim Board of Selectmen Chairman William M. Gribbons who was substituting for Chairman Robert D. Grossman who he said is on the road to recovery from a recent heart attack and bypass surgery.

"You see the flags and you know what it represents," Mr. Gribbons said.

Selectman and former Marine Carl E. Westerman, who served in Vietnam, said, "Please, if you see a veteran, say thank you and God bless you."

State Representative Paul K. Frost, R-Auburn, drew loud applause after his comments that America is a great country even though some people say that is no longer the case.

"I don't believe that is true," he said. "I believe we should be more patriotic than ever."

He said Americans died in combat through the years protecting the right to critical free speech.

"America is great, she will continue to be great, because we are a great people," he said.

Mr. Frost contrasted the United States to the military government in Myanmar that, for the most part, has resisted attempts from outside for help after a cyclone killed thousands of people.

"Our nation is waiting to help, we want to send aid a moment's notice," Mr. Frost said.

Mr. Frost said Americans should think of the country's soldiers every day.

"We celebrate their lives today and every day," he said.