“It’s very important to do it, and I’m glad that we’re here and to be able to do it,” Sandra Winters said Veterans Day morning, Wednesday, Nov. 11 near Wiscasset’s town office. Moments later, the American Legion Post 54 auxiliary president and other auxiliary and post members walked together to the veterans wall.

Without speeches and with few onlookers to the unannounced ceremony, they did a three-gun salute, laid the wreaths, stood with the flags and – when post member Tom Stoner played “Taps” – placed their hands to their hearts or saluted as they faced the wall of names of locals who have served.

Like Winters, the auxiliary’s Diane Munsey said people need to keep honoring veterans. “We’re losing more and more of them,” Munsey said. Before and after the ceremony, some Route 1 motorists peeped their horns.

Post Cmdr. William Cossette Jr. said the observance was not announced due to the pandemic. He and others interviewed said the pandemic has also impacted other activities this year. But every Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m., the hall at 523 Bath Road has doughnuts and coffee for anyone, including anyone who might want to become a member, Cossette said.

Cossette and member Wally Pitcher said those who took part in the observance have been seeing one another anyway during the pandemic, so gathering for the ceremony was no different. “And I don't believe in burying my head in the sand,” Pitcher added.