NORWAY – More than 50 people gathered at the Stone-Smart Post #82 memorial at the corner of Main and Paris streets in Norway to view the flag of a fallen veteran on Remembrance Day.

The flag was donated by the family of Sgt. Vernon Brown, WWII veteran and permanent resident of Oxford Hills.

Brown was born March 1, 1921 in Harrison. A newlywed and young father, Brown was drafted into the United States Army in 1942. He was discharged after World War II in 1945. He was a member of the American Legion for 56 years, serving as commanding officer of the Stone-Smart Post # 82. from 1952-1953. His son, Vietnam veteran Ray Brown, who died in 2009, was also a member of the Legion.

Members of the Stone-Smart American Legion Post #82 Norway lowered the post’s new flag to half mast in honor of Memorial Day. The flag belonged to former member and Commander Sgt. Vernon Brown, a World War II veteran. The flag was donated to the Legion by his family.

Brown’s daughter, Peggy Heikkinen, donated the flag in memory of her father.

“It is with great love that we donate this flag,” Heikkinen said in a statement she provided to American Legion Post #82 and shared with the Democratic announcer. “My father was so proud to have served in World War II and to be a member [of this Post].”

The dedication took place Monday as part of the Legion’s Memorial Day remembrance. Brown was honored with a nine-gun salute. Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School alumnus Alexi Knight played Taps.

Heikkinen attended the inauguration with her husband Alan, sister-in-law Mary Ann Brown, son Michael Heikkinen, granddaughter Baylee Hekkinen and extended family.

“I would just like to thank everyone who took the time to come out today for this,” she told the Democratic announcer after the flag was raised. “It’s a pretty emotional moment for us. It means a lot.”

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