A ceremony full of meaning, but light on onlookers, marked Veterans Day in Wiscasset on November 11.

Other than American Legion Post 54 members and others who took part in the program, about eight people stood in the sun and a cold morning wind. Two were reporters.

“People are busy with their personal lives,” Legion member Richard Verney, 84, of Alna said afterward. He served in the Arctic Circle during the Korean War era, working on a radar station in case Russia tried to bomb a United States target.

Verney said Monday's light turnout for the observance at the memorial wall didn't bother him. “We did what we had to do,” he said of Legion members' wartime service. “We're glad we did it, and we're glad it's over.”

The turnout did bother Wally Staples of Woolwich. Health problems from childhood on kept him from serving, but he is a regular speaker and prayer-giver at the Legion's ceremonies. He said he also now serves in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

“That's how I do my part,” he said.

More people are forgetting the meaning of Veterans Day, to remember the sacrifices of those who died and those who survived their wartime service, Staples said during the program.

“You can see this in front of you today, where we're standing,” he said. “... People are mistaking this for being just another holiday.”

During his prayer, Staples, chaplain at Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset, asked for safety for the men and woman currently serving their country. He gave thanks that his grandson, Keith Rattleff of Wiscasset, made it home about a year ago from his Army service in Afghanistan. He's married now and has a new baby, his grandfather said.

“We are grateful for a free America,” Staples said.

“This is an important day,” attendee, veteran and Wiscasset Selectmen’s Chairman Ed Polewarczyk said in an interview. He served stateside during the Vietnam War, teaching officers bound for Vietnam.

“It meant a lot to me to be a part of those people’s service,” Polewarczyk said of his time with the officers who went overseas. As for Monday’s turnout, he said, “It’s kind of sad that we don’t recognize people’s service the way we should.”

Staples later said more people should make an effort to honor veterans.

“Without them going to war, we wouldn't be America,” he said.