Before the start of Monday’s Memorial Day service at the Wiscasset veterans’ wall, Clara Wentworth laid a rose on the stone that honors her late husband, Joseph Wentworth. He served with the U.S. Army’s 60th Infantry in the European Theater in World War II. “He was very lucky to come back (from one battle), because other men all around him were falling,” Clara Wentworth said in an interview.

Her husband died Oct. 14, 2013, two months after he took American Legion Post 54 of Wiscasset up on its invitation to ride in a convertible in the Fourth of July parade.

Clara Wentworth has belonged to the Daughters of the American Revolution about half a century. During Monday’s ceremony, she placed a DAR wreath at the wall. Moments later, Post Commander William Cossette Jr. called her back to the lectern and surprised her with a Legion certificate honoring her help with honoring veterans.

“I do anything I can for veterans,” she’d said earlier. After the ceremony, she said she was overwhelmed at the honor. “I had no idea.” In addition to her other work that has included helping with Wreaths Across America, she and fellow Wiscasset resident Faye Shea started a project about a year ago. They call it “Saving Our Stars.” The stars, from worn American flags that can no be longer flown, represent veterans because veterans are stars, Wentworth said.

The Copy Shop in Wiscasset has refused to take any money for printing the message Wentworth and Shea wrote for the back of the stars, or for the small plastic bags that hold the stars, Wentworth said. The business has donated 2,000 of the messages and bags, she said. The message reads: “I am a part of our American Flag. I have flown over a home in the U.S.A. I can no longer fly. The Sun and Winds have caused me to become tattered and torn. Please carry me as a reminder that you are not forgotten.”

The stars go to veterans groups. If interested in receiving a batch to share with veterans, call Wentworth at 882-6219. The idea for the project was Shea’s, who’d seen a similar effort in New Hampshire, Wentworth said. The message’s wording is similar to the one in New Hampshire, she said.

About 50 people gathered on the municipal building lawn Monday morning and sometimes prayed and removed their hats under a gray sky. A mist came intermittently and a raw wind set American, Prisoner of War and American Legion flags billowing and wreaths’ ribbons fluttering.

Holding an umbrella, Sparky Lindsey wore blue and white stripes, a “Women are Veterans” button and red, white and blue jewelry. She served six years in the Army including during the Grenada Conflict. “It’s very important to show honor and respect for the veterans, “ she said about why she came to the service.

Deb Ethier wore a tee shirt with an eagle and the message: “Sorry I can’t hear  you over the sound of my freedom.” Ethier showed a reporter two names on the wall: Her late father Arthur Reed and her late uncle David Reed both served in and survived the Korean War.

Wiscasset Church of the Nazarene senior pastor Wally Staples spoke on the need to remember the day’s purpose, to honor servicemen and women. For some people, it has become a day for sales, he said. “How sick.

“To us it’s the day we remember those who sacrificed and all the men and women who are continuing to serve in our Armed Forces throughout the world,” Staples continued. “America is a patriotic country and we need to get back to it ... Lest we forget. Let’s not forget. Let’s remember more today than a hamburger and a barbecue.”