When USNR Captain H.A. “Nick” Nichols was graduating from Colby College in the late 1970s, he said his decision to join the Armed Forces wasn't met with enthusiasm.

“Back then, (joining the Armed Forces) wasn't something people smiled on,” he said to a sizable crowd at the Nequasset Meetinghouse in Woolwich. “People didn't think too highly of it, in fact. A lot of folks graduated from college and went off to work, or off to grad school.

“But serving my country was always something that was important to me.”

Nichols, who joined the Navy in 1979 through the AOCS program, was one of several speakers at Woolwich's annual Veterans Day gathering Tuesday, Nov. 11 at the meeting house.

Nichols, of Bath, talked about how when he first joined the Navy in 1979 the public's perception of the Armed Forces was at a low point. But in the ensuing decades that he served he saw the tides change.

Nichols said that after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon came a new wave of patriotism that restored adoration for those in uniform.

“(Because planes were grounded) I drove up through New York and I saw the smoke,” he said, referring to the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks. “I got back late, late and when I finally got home, when I was driving down Washington Street I saw that everyone had a candle in their front window. Everyone had their flags outside.

“It was a transcendent moment. In fact, it was a turning point for everyone to recognize the sacrifices our men and women make to protect this great country.”

Nichols said that in the ensuing weeks, months and years that respect only grew.

“When a lot of people came home from Afghanistan they passed through Bangor and there was a group of people who would greet everyone who came (off the plane),” he said. “To me, that was a watershed moment for our country.”

Lt. Col. (retired) Jerry Bearce of Topsham read John McCrae's “In Flanders Field,” while Cub Scout troop 602 and Girl Scouts troops 368 out of Woolwich and 1569 out of Bath provided the color guard. The Montsweagers musical group lent voices and provided instrumental back-up to the crow's renditions of “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again,” “America the Beautiful,” “America,” and “God Bless America.”

The gathering also featured the oldest living veteran in Woolwich, and the current Boston Post Cane holder Larry Edgerly was recognized for his service.

The Rev. Dr. Alan Baughcum performed the opening and closing prayers while Allison Hepler was the MC for the event. The Woolwich Recreation Committee provided refreshments afterwards.

Also in attendance was Gail Kezer, Sen. Angus King's regional representative, who read a speech prepared by the senator. In the letter King stressed that more should be done for Maine's veterans who return home. The letter stated that issues such as homelessness, unemployment and lack of access to healthcare are all fixable and should be addressed for Maine's veterans.

“We must fight for our veterans,” King wrote. “As they fought for us.”