Flags at four different locations were lowered and given to the family members of veterans, and new flags were raised in honor of a new set of veterans. These flags will be flown until Memorial Day in the spring of 2025. The festivities culminated in a parade down Main Street, accompanied by music from the Lake Placid Central School Marching Blue Bombers, and a ceremony at the American Legion home.

At the World War I memorial beside Adirondack Community Church, a flag honoring Robert “Bob” Fadden was lowered, and a flag honoring Robert Jones was raised. Betty Hinkins and Barbara Clark, Fadden’s sisters, were there to receive the flag. Born and raised in Lake Placid, Hinkins and Clark had three other siblings and are the only ones still living.

Fadden was drafted in 1941 and served in the Quartermaster Corps in England, where he helped supply food, clothing and supplies to Allied troops. When asked what they remember from their brother’s time in the service, Hunkins and Clark said he never really talked about it, but they knew it was hard. The same was true of their father, who served during World War I.

“Our father was in the trenches of Normandy. He carried a rifle with a bayonet on it,” Hunkins said. “Never would talk about it.”

Debbie Bissonette receives a flag in honor of her husband, Doug Bissonette, from American Legion Post 326 member Stuart Spotts at the legion home on Monday. (Enterprise photo — Grace McIntyre)

The sisters were there with Hunkins’ son, Peter. Hunkins hugged the folded flag to her chest.

“We’re happy to remember him,” Hunkins said.

“He was a very thoughtful and generous person,” Clark added.

Twenty minutes later, outside the Elderwood of Uihlein nursing home, another flag honoring Dennis Smythe was lowered and a flag in honor of Larry Prager was raised. Across the parking lot, a flag honoring Clifford Wells was also lowered. Mary Claire Smythe, Dennis’ sister, was there to receive his flag. No one from the Wells family was able to make it.

Following the parade, the Marching Blue Bombers and a sizeable crowd assembled outside the American Legion home. The crowd watched in silence as flags honoring Robert “Bobby” Peacock, Douglas “Doug” Bissonette and Alfred Vondell were lowered. Flags honoring Donald Lawrence, Benjamin Gadway and Donald Scammell were raised. Debbie Bissonette received her husband’s flag and MarieLine Desilets received the flag for her husband, Bobby Peacock.

In a short closing speech, American Legion Post 326 veteran Stuart Spotts warned the crowd against people “on both sides of the aisle” who he said are taking Americans’ freedom way.

“You’re all free because men died for you, women too,” Spotts said. “So remember, you’re free. Freedom means a lot.”