By Carol McCracken

A Veteran’s Day ceremony is scheduled for Fort Allen Park on the Eastern Promenade this Tuesday, November 11 at noon.

The ceremony will be a rededication of the USS Portland memorial that recently underwent an estimated $150,000 restoration donated by local businesses organized by Bill Whitten. The ceremony will be led by Portland Mayor Ed Suslovic.

The originl sponsor of the USS Portland, Mary Brooks, now Mrs. Doughty, will rechristian the memorial at the close of the ceremony. At the age of 12 years old, Mrs. Doughty, who was the daughter of the chairman of the Portland City Council, christened the ship May 21, 1932 in Massachusetts.

The heavy cruiser nicknamed “Sweet Pea” served in the Navy in World War II. Please visit USSPortland .org for more history of this ship.  Please also visit MHN posting, “City Celebrates Restoration Project for USS Portland; under ‘previous entries’ – 9/18/08