By LORNA COLQUHOUN
New Hampshire Union Leader
FRANCONIA N.H. – With snow still lingering on the upper slopes of Cannon Mountain, the town quietly accelerated its spring cleaning tasks, with a lot of help from its neighbors, as it prepares to say goodbye to one of its police officers.
The highway crew from Sugar Hill repaired the concrete steps of Town Hall and men from Bretton Woods Ski Resort prepared the hall for the thousands expected later today for the calling hours for Cpl. Bruce McKay.
“It’s good to make it nice,” said Jason Doyle, surveying the draped tables that will today hold flower arrangements.
The call had also gone out to neighboring towns to borrow the yards of bunting to drape the entrance.
In the basement, two dozen people met at 3 p.m. yesterday to finalize plans for the sad occasion that will begin later today. Over the past two days, scores of people have come together to put in place a final farewell to a fallen officer.
One of the organizers, State Police Lt. John Scarinza, told those gathered that their efforts have meant a great deal to McKay’s family.
Calling hours for the public begin at 2 p.m. today and will run to 4 p.m. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., there will be a law enforcement walk-through, a time when hundreds of officers will make a brief march to the Town Hall to pay their respects.
The evening calling hours for the public will resume following that and conclude at 9 p.m.
The funeral service begins at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Cannon Mountain.
Copyright 2007 Union Leader