Dorothy Curtis always attended Wiscasset’s Memorial Day service with her husband, Army Air Corps veteran William “Bill” Curtis. The longtime Wiscasset selectman died last year. She was sad to attend the service on May 25 without him, but she wanted to because he was so dedicated to his town and to his country, she said before the start of the observance on the municipal building lawn.

Her husband was a member of the American Legion for more than 60 years, before and during his time in Wiscasset, Curtis said. “He was a very patriotic person.”

Curtis was among about 70 people who gathered at the memorial wall Monday under a sunny sky. The crowd was bigger than the service usually receives, said Wally Staples, a Woolwich resident and regular speaker at Wiscasset’s Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances.

“I’m very pleased.”

Staples called for a round of applause for the turnout.

Wiscasset resident Richard Thompson, there with his rescue Tibetan terrier Robbie, came because he feels he has a responsibility to honor those who served.

“And I’m always deeply moved to be standing here, because they can’t,” Thompson said.

American Legion Post 54 of Wiscasset recognized several members with certificates that they or family members accepted. James Hall’s certificate honored his two years as a member; Robert Sutter’s and Melbourne Applebee’s, 41 years; Richard Willard Jr.’s, 46 years, Francis Soule’s, 50 years; George Jones’ 60 years, which is now up to about 68 years, Post Commander William Cossette Jr. said; Joseph Wentworth’s, 65 years; and Roy Farmer’s, 70 years.

Farmer received a second award. It was from the American Legion’s national headquarters and was signed by National Commander Michael Helm; it, too, honored Farmer’s membership and service to the organization.

In an interview afterward, Farmer called the awards an exceptional honor.

“I feel very lucky to have lived in a country such as this,” Farmer said.

Dorothy Curtis will be receiving a certificate honoring her husband, Cossette said.

In prayer and other remarks that included reading presidential quotes and the lyrics of “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless the U.S.A.,”  Staples emphasized that Americans owe their freedom to those who fought and, in some cases, died for it.

“No one is going by and shooting us as they are in many countries,” Staples said. “We have a privilege, and we appreciate that.”

Cossette presented Wiscasset’s Ruth Applin with a certificate of appreciation citing her outstanding service helping the Legion’s programs; Applin, 98, also received an American flag for being the oldest attendee; the flag for youngest went to 14-month-old Emery Footer of Dresden.