American Legion Post 54 Cmdr. William Cossette Jr. told the Memorial Day gathering at Wiscasset’s veterans wall, they were there to honor those who made it possible to gather there in peace, and who made this way of life possible. “They truly are the guardians of our freedom.”

Then the post’s longtime leader said there was one more thing to say: He said people ask, “Why should I belong the American Legion?” The post spends $2,000 a year to maintain the American flags along the street, he said. It also gives out scholarships and other awards, takes part in funerals and gives to food banks, Cossette said.

“We’re not just sitting around here doing nothing. And you can tell by looking around, we need some younger people.”

Before and after the service of wreath-laying, a three-gun salute and “Taps” at the wall at routes 1 and 27, attendees looked at or pointed out names on the wall – their names, family members’, or ones they noticed were old Wiscasset names. Jim George, his boxer Callie at his side, spotted the name of Edward C. Sortwell. The wall states Sortwell, American Field Ambulance Service, died in Salonica, Greece Nov. 12, 1916 in an accident related to military operations. 

George and others among Monday’s about 40 attendees said they came to show support and respect for those who have served. Several family members of Wiscasset’s Brian Adams have served, and he said son-in-law Martin Twist served in Great Britain’s Royal Marines alongside U.S. service members in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The post auxiliary’s president, Diane Munsey, handed out poppies to wear. Later, she told attendees the poppy symbolizes the lives sacrificed in war, and the hope it was not in vain.