By Liam Opie

Special to The News

To the general public of Bridgton and Lake Region, it has been nearly a year since I, and fellow members of Joshua L. Chamberlain Camp No. 69, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, have started our project for a monument and supplemental gravestones, to be placed in the Ridge Cemetery of the “Four Corners” — located on Middle Ridge Road in Bridgton.

I am pleased to show everyone the completed markers, for the seven Union veterans. These markers, courtesy of the work of Collette Monuments of Lewiston, are ready to be placed in the cemetery. However, it would be ideal if these gravestones can be dedicated, at the same time, with the monument we envision. It has been our original goal to dedicate both gravestones and memorial, for the Union veterans of the Ridge, in a single ceremony. This cannot happen without the continued support of charitable local businesses, and members of our community.

Our organization needs help to raise $13,000 for this monument. It is our goal to have this fundraising done before Memorial Day 2020. It must be remembered that Memorial Day was originally known as “Decoration Day,” a holiday celebrated and honored by the Grand Army of the Republic, the organization made up by Union veterans. Several men of the cemetery, such as Bridgton Selectman Charles H. Gould, were members of the G.A.R. Our Camp would find it fitting to have a dedication near this important day of remembrance.

If one is interested, please consider a donation. Please make out checks to “Chamberlain Camp” and mail them to my address at 73 Middle Ridge Road, Bridgton, ME 04009. I have made fliers that were distributed at the beginning of the summer, to a few businesses in Bridgton. If interested in obtaining fliers, please indicate that in a letter, and they will be provided to you.

With the upcoming Maine bicentennial celebrations, I believe a dedication in 2020 would be a tremendous way to show that Bridgton remembers an important part of its history. These veterans lived here, they worked here, they raised crops and families here, and they are buried here. Now, we must keep their memory forever alive, here in our community.

Please consider continued support for this project by making a donation. Bridgton has done so much to honor its Civil War past, such as the amazing restoration work done on our monument (at the top of Main Hill) this past summer. With that work done, I implore that we keep up momentum for the monument. Let us all continue to make strides in remembering Bridgton’s veterans of the “War Between the States,” and of all times of war, and peace.

Respectfully submitted by Liam Opie, Patriotic instructor, Joshua L. Chamberlain Camp No. 69, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.