Wiscasset Area Veterans Wiscasset area veterans, left to right, Anthony Jordan, Walter Sherman, Fred West, David Nichols, and Joe Wentworth gather for a recent memorial for the late PFC Andrew Small. (Photo Charlotte Boynton)

The largest patriotic flag display in the state's history will be staged on Veterans Day, Sunday, November 11 in several different locations.

The Maine American Legion, Sons of the American Legion, and the American Legion Auxiliary will post over 2,700 flags as a statewide tribute and memorial to remember veterans who have served and those who are still serving, as well as to honor the lives lost in wars.

American Legion Past State Commander Herman Wright of Edgecomb, chairman of the Maine Healing Field project, and co-chairman Donna Sailor of Gorham, announced that the Healing Field ceremonies will take place in five locations, and flags will be spaced every mile for the entire length of the Maine Turnpike.

The five healing field locations are Lubec, Rockland, Augusta, Bath, and Portland. A ceremony will be held at each location.

There will be 85 flags posted in the Lubec ceremony, which will begin at 1 p.m. at Hallett's Field, with guest speaker American Legion Past Department Historian, Rod Green.

There will be 200 flags posted in Rockland at the ceremony beginning at noon at the Rockland Post Home on Maverick Street. Guest speakers will be Rockland Fire Chief Charles Jordan and Rockland Police Chief Bruce Boucher.

There will be 500 flags posted in Augusta at Capital Park where the ceremony will begin at noon. Guest speaker will be American Legion State Commander Paul L'Heureux, with American Legion Post 205 Color Guard of Augusta.

There will be 800 flags posted at Kelly Field in Bath, and McMann Sports Complex on Congress Ave. The ceremony will begin at noon with guest speaker Captain Scott Walton, from the Brunswick Naval Air Station.

There will be 875 flags posted in Deering Oaks, a park just off I-295, (the Forest Avenue exit in Portland.) The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. with guest speaker Congressman Mike Michaud.

The three feet by five feet flags will stand on eight-foot poles, with many of them sponsored by individuals and dedicated to a loved one.

Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contribution to the nation's security is appreciated and to underscore the fact that all who served, and are serving today have sacrificed and put their lives on the line.

The flags will be put up at most sites on Friday or Saturday, November 9 and 10, and taken down the following weekend. The flags will be stored until Memorial Day 2008, and raised again on Memorial Day 2008 in commemoration of the deceased veterans.

Flags can be purchased for $15 in the name of any individual, with an additional $5 to include a yellow ribbon with a short message attached to the flag. For more information, call 873-3229.

After the two events, the flags that have been purchased with individual donations will be returned to the individuals. The flags that have been sponsored by corporate donations will be donated to the American Legion Program "A Flag in Every Classroom."