Residents, visitors, Legion honor veterans in Wiscasset
For homeschoolers Ella Stoner, 15, and Cameron Stoner, 8, American Legion Post 54’s Veterans Day service at Wiscasset’s honor roll wall served as a history lesson, the Hotchkiss, Colorado siblings’ mother Eva Stoner said.
They and Eva’s mother-in-law Mary Sue Stoner of Woolwich also had another reason they all wanted to be there: Mary Sue’s husband Tom Stoner, Post 54 member, was taking part. He played “Taps,” as he has done at many Post 54 ceremonies.
Carlos Vasquez, who is serving in the Navy, was looking at the wall’s names before the ceremony. He said he was excited to be getting to see wife Beatrice Vasquez take part in the observance. She is retired from the Navy. She said it was fantastic her husband could join her at the event, “and we both believe it is an honor and a privilege to serve.”
About 60 people turned out at the wall at Routes 1and 27 for the sunny morning service. “It’s good to have a nice crowd,” Post Cmdr. William Cossette Jr. told the gathering. Moments later, he introduced Clara Wentworth to, as usual, lay the Daughters of American Revolution wreath. “She is I believe our oldest person here,” Cossette said as she approached with the wreath and escorted by Post member Neil Page. “But we don’t know that,” Cossette added and he and Wentworth exchanged smiles and people laughed along.
Robert and Valerie MacDonald’s golden retriever Duncan wore a red, white and blue, starred bandanna the couple said was from a grooming session at Wiscasset’s Birch Point Dog Spa. Robert MacDonald of Wiscasset Ambulance Service volunteered setting up the sound system for Friday’s observance.
Hours ahead of Hurricane Nicole’s remnants’ forecasted arrival, Post members were liking the morning’s mild weather. “Timing is everything,” Adjutant Cliff Hendricks said. “This might be warmer than we had on Memorial Day,” fellow member Larry Rines said.
Attendees interviewed spoke of the importance of honoring servicemen and women. Cheryl Kaplan of Wiscasset, whose son Zachary Callan served 17 years in the Air Force, attends the Post’s ceremonies on Veterans Day, Memorial Day “and Fourth of July,” she said.
