Major Charles Loring, Jr. for Whom the Loring Memorial Park  on Munjoy Hill is Named.  He Served as a US Air Force Pilot in World War 11 and the Korean Conflict.  This Portrait Hangs in the State of Maine Room at City Hall.

Post # 25 on Washington Avenue was the Site of aVeterans’ Day Lunch for Vets and Their Friends.

Roberta Loring Domini, Niece of Paul Loring, at the Park Today.  Her Father, Harold, was a Brother of Charles and Paul and a Mayor of Portland, Twice.

Paul Loring, 90, flanked by Cora Loring and Jack Loring at the Park Today.  Cora and Jack are Brother and Sister.

“The five of us served in the Armed Services.  So, Veterans’ Day means a lot.  I’m the only one of the five brothers still here.  So I enjoy representing them,” said Paul Loring, 90, following a gathering of his large family at the Loring Memorial Park, on Munjoy Hill this afternoon.

As in past years, Paul, who served in the Air Force also, and his large family attended a brief ceremony at the Park conducted by Dick Paiement, who served 38 years in the Army Guard. That ceremony was followed by lunch at the Am Vet Post # 25 on Washington Avenue.

Major Charles J. Loring, Jr., enlisted in the service in 1942.  He served in World War 11 as an Air Force pilot.  He was shot down and spent time in a prison camp.  Loring served once again as a pilot in the Korean conflict.  During a bombing mission over North Korea, he sacrificed his life rather than be taken a prisoner of war once again.  He died on November 22, 1952.

Loring was awarded the Medal of Honor “for conspicious gallentry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy.”

Paul spearheaded the effort to dedicate the Park to his late brother.  At the corner of North Street and the Eastern Promenade, it came to fruition in 2000.  Moreover, Paul’s efforts had another positive for the former “CB” circle.  It necessitated the cleaning-up of a long neglected area full of litter and other discarded material into a source of pride and an asset on the Hill.

“This is a very close knit family,” said Roberta Loring Donnini, this afternoon at the Park.  “It’s because of Uncle Paul.  He keeps us all together.”  Roberta’s father, Harold, was a brother of Charles and twice served as Mayor of Portland.

“The last two years have reduced the number of people here on Veterans’ Day because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  It’s still an issue for many,” said Tony Myatt, a member of the AmVet Post # 25.  But it was not an issue for members of the Loring family who showed up in large numbers to remember their family members and other veterans as well. A  buftet lunch donated by members of the Post was available to guests.

Please visit post herein dated May 16, 2009, May 10, 2020 and May 31, 2010,  for more background information on Major Charles J. Loring, Jr. and the Park.