When Bradford-Sortwell-Wright Post 54 of the American Legion observes Veterans Day and other occasions at Wiscasset’s veterans wall or elsewhere, months of planning have gone into it. And much of that planning happens over the post’s weekly, Wednesday morning coffee and donuts, Cmdr. William Cossette Jr. and Adjutant Cliff Hendricks said in phone interviews Oct. 27.

Planning tends to start in meetings the post holds the third Monday of every month, Hendricks said. “We’re thinking about who’s going to be around (on event day), who can be here, who’s going to do what, is anybody going to be gone ... We’re starting to put the pieces of the puzzle together.” So in the September meeting, for example, they noted Veterans Day is Nov. 11, and those questions could then start to be asked, he explained.

Plans firm up week by week in the Wednesday gatherings, then get reviewed at the last monthly meeting before the event, including the event time, plans for the gun salute and flags, and if a bugle will be played, Hendricks said.

He called the planning for events at the wall of veterans’ names “pretty easy,” because the format is more or less the same each time, and the post coordinates with the auxiliary unit on the wreath-layings. 

Preparing for the July 4 parade takes longer and is more involved, Hendricks said. He said member Mike Barnes led this year’s effort starting around April getting the trailer and float ready. “You don’t just up and do that sort of thing just two weeks prior, for a few hours,” Hendricks said. He said Johnny’s Auto Repair on Gardiner Road near the parade lineup emptied one of its stalls for the Legion to finish decorating the float.

Why? “Because they do a lot of good for us,” owner Johnny Rice said when reached by phone Oct. 31.

“Hats off to him,” Hendricks said about Rice helping. Hendricks is also thankful for public turnout at Memorial Day and Veterans Day services. He noted many attendees have family who have served in the military. He would also be pleased at any new attendees – and new members for the post. The July 4 parade route can be a little long for members sometimes, he said. “We’re not getting any younger. And we’re honored to do it, but having some younger folks there, to walk that, would be really nice.”

As for attendance at the 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11 Veterans Day observance at the wall, on the lawn of the town office at the corner of Routes 1 and 27, Wiscasset Newspaper invited Hendricks to address readers. He said veterans from the Revolutionary War on have fought for, and some have died for, freedom, “so that they, we, us, could have barbecues on the Fourth, we can talk ill about our politicians if we want ... We enjoy the freedoms that we have for that ... So that’s why we do it,” he said of the annual observances. “So, if someone has never been (to one) and they show up, that’s what it’s all about. We’re honoring ... those who sacrificed, and some gave the ultimate sacrifice.”

The Auxiliary, meanwhile, helps however Cossette asks the morning of the ceremony, President Diane Munsey said Oct. 27. “All of us that are usually there, we do something, even if it’s just standing in the line and saluting.” And usually the Auxiliary lays one of the wreaths, she said.

“It’s just the greatest thing to be able to do this stuff,” because she has had several family members in the service and “if it wasn’t for the veterans, we wouldn’t be where we are,” she said.

To ask about joining the Legion, call Hendricks at 607-1860 or send a letter to American Legion, P.O. Box 214, Wiscasset, ME 04578; to ask about joining the Auxiliary, call Munsey at 737-2997. “We can certainly use some more members,” she said. “We’re building our unit back up, but we could use some more.”