Wiscasset’s Anthony Rauseo has traveled the world and believes its best country is the U.S. His and wife Caryl “C.J.” Rauseo’s piece of the world, 22 Federal St., shows that perspective indoors and out.

With the American flags and flag-themed displays, including nighttime, lighted ones, Anthony seeks to spread a message: “In these days of high emotions, partisan politics and the many social issues we face, I feel strongly that our divided country can be united under a single word – patriotism. In the end we are all Americans regardless of race, creed, gender or politics,” he told Wiscasset Newspaper via email.

Responding to questions, the Everett, Massachusetts-raised man explained the patriotic showings date to 2001, after he lost a dear friend, Brian Magee, on the 102nd story of one of the twin towers. Rauseo said disabled veterans joined him in lighting two acres in Boxford, Massachusetts that November with giant patriotic flags. The display, which included music, was so immense, organizers had two trams running, he recalled. In the years that followed, all donations went to the disabled veterans shelter in Haverhill. Microsoft, where he worked, matched every dollar, he added.

At his and C.J.’s home here where they have retired, two light-emitting diode (LED) flags on the barn stay lit from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. in tribute to all Americans “and their courage and convictions,” he said. Two other large, cloth flags fly at the home’s front and back to honor veterans; and in the front yard, a granite stone step, circa 1850 and weighing a ton, has three flags attached to it in honor of people who have died in service to the country. “Without their ultimate sacrifice we would not enjoy the freedoms we have today,” he said.

Inside the couple’s home, C.J., from Bangor, has set up a patriotic table display in a window. And Anthony said each dusk, they light the home’s front in red, white and blue.

“(That is) to remind us all that even with our shortcomings we are the greatest country on Earth.”

Anthony, who lived for years at a Sebago Lake log cabin, is not done. Their Federal Street display will grow in the years to come, he said. He is commissioning a steel piece for the front yard, to honor veterans.

He hopes readers will also come view their Christmas displays.