U.S. Naval Commander Captain Scott Smith was the keynote speaker at Woolwich’s Memorial Day program at Nequasset Meeting House Monday evening.

This year’s service sponsored by the Woolwich Historical Society marked the 115th time the community has observed Memorial Day, when Americans remember and honor the men and women who have given their lives in military service.

Debbie Locke, WHS president, introduced Pastor David Ouellette of the North Woolwich Methodist Church who gave the invocation. “Remember those men and women who have given their lives and suffered in so many other ways to ensure our freedom,” said Ouellette.

Following the singing of “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” Rev. Tom Tuck of the First Baptist Church asked all military veterans to stand and be recognized.

Selectman Allison Hepler introduced Smith, noting he and members of his crew were volunteering in Maine’s First Ship, a project to construct a replica of the Virginia, the first ship built in North America in 1607-1608 at the Popham Colony at Fort St George. Smith, she noted, is commanding one of the nation’s newest ships, the USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001), the second of the Navy’s Zumwalt class of guided missile destroyers. The ship, under construction at Bath Iron Works, was christened in June 2016. Following sea trials, it will be commissioned in Coronado, California in early 2019.

Smith spoke of Arlington National Cemetery where service members of all races, creeds and rank lie side by side. They serve to remind us, he said, the cost of freedom can be very painful and costly.

The ship Smith is commanding is named in honor and remembrance of Master-at-Arms Michael A. Monsoor, a United State Navy SEAL  killed in action during the Iraq War in 2006. In 2008, Monsoor was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President George W. Bush. When the Michael Monsoor is commissioned, Smith will command a crew of 148. He previously commanded the USS Klakring (FFG 42) from 2009-2011 and deployed independently to the Black, Adriatic, and North seas, and nine months later, circumnavigated South America as part of the UNITAS exercise series. Smith was been a speechwriter to the Commander, US Fleet Forces Command and the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey.

Music for the service was provided by members of the Montsweagers. The service concluded with a benediction given by Rev. Tuck who reminded all that Memorial Day is intended as a “day of prayer and remembrance.”