Sitting in the shade of a canopy on the Wiscasset waterfront July 4, World War II-era veterans George Jones and Roy Farmer reflected on what it felt like to hear parade-goers’ applause for them that morning.

“Very flattering ... an honor,” Farmer said in the brief joint-interview.

“I enjoyed it. And I appreciate it,” Jones said about the reception they received along the route.

Minutes later, Bill Cossette Jr., commander of American Legion Post 54 of Wiscasset, called each of the two men up to award them certificates: Farmer, for taking part in the parade; and Jones, for 70 years as a member.

Also during the ceremonies, a certificate went to Neal Page, for his 22 years of military service; and Jeffrey Lucas of Edgecomb accepted a Gold Star banner honoring his son, Army SPC Joseph Lucas, who died Dec. 15, 2005 on his second tour of duty in Iraq.

“It means a lot,” Jeffrey Lucas said about the honor, after a playing of the national anthem concluded the ceremony. “My son was just one of the many who have been killed in service, and in my opinion, the government doesn’t do enough to honor those who have fallen, and other veterans.”

Town Manager Marian Anderson gave this year’s grand marshal, Norma Gordon, a certificate honoring Gordon’s many years of service to the town.

Earlier, Jones, Farmer and other Legion members got some of the biggest applause of the parade. So did an entry featuring Lincoln County Historical Association’s 1896 American flag. Several people carrying it called out facts and patriotic statements that drew cheers, including one man’s shout, “110 percent American.”

“That was cool. It was awesome,” parade-goer Lynn Dennis of Darien, Connecticut, said later.

The LCHA flag appeared at the waterfront ceremony also, alongside the flag the Legion was raising.

Sarah Whitfield took one for the First Congregational Church’s Summerfest team by wearin a lobster costume, hood and all, as she walked the parade route in the heat and the bright mid-morning sun. The church’s entry previewed the annual event with signage and more, including Whitfield in the costume.

“All I’ll say is it’s a rain forest in here. It’s keeping all the heat in,” Whitfield, still in costume, said later, smiling and eating a hot dog.

Asked what her secret was for not passing out, Whitfield credited the little breeze and having a lot of water and a freeze pop.

Her mother Jan Whitfield went as herself, and carried a sign describing Wiscasset as the worm capital of the world.

Wiscasset Ambulance Service and other entrants handed out the freeze pops. New faces in public safety this year included Toby Martin, Wiscasset EMS director, and Wiscasset Police Chief Jeff Lange.

“Super community involvement, and I couldn’t have asked for a better day, weather-wise,” Lange said about his first Wiscasset Fourth of July.

Lincoln County sheriff’s officers marched and area fire departments joined Wiscasset’s in taking their towns’ trucks along the parade route.

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