Jerry DeWitt addresses the crowd gathered at Veterans Memorial Park in Lewiston. Sun Journal file photo

LEWISTON — The annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park on Main Street will not be held this year.

Jerry DeWitt, chairman of the L&A Veterans Council, announced the cancellation due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the state’s social distancing policy. The parade and ceremony is held the Saturday before Memorial Day.

The new memorial stone, the 28th in the park, contains the names of another 216 Lewiston and Auburn veterans, past and present. Dedicated to the Destroyer Escort Association, the stone will be in place by Memorial Day for those who want to see it.

That stone will be dedicated in the fall during the Veterans Day ceremony.