Since 2002, the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club has thanked the region’s “Hometown Heroes” and spouses with a dinner.  This year is no different as Rotarians Daren and Debbie Graves have scheduled the celebration for 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8.

This the 14th time the Rotary has hosted the dinner. Rotarians Bob and Gloria Walter began honoring local “Hometown Heroes” a year after the 2001 terrorist attack on New York City. The first dinner was held at Spruce Point Inn.

The Graves took over the dinner’s organization in 2004. Daren Graves is a retired Boothbay Harbor police officer and worked for several law enforcement organizations around the state. Debbie Graves is a retired nurse. The couple also owned an ambulance service.

The couple have been Rotarians for more than a decade. He joined the BHRC in 2002. She joined in 2005.

They were both happy to continue the tradition started by the Walters.

“It’s really a great way to honor the people who do so much to keep the community safe,” Daren Graves said. “We invite all the local first responders and their spouses to say thank you with a nice meal and enjoy a special guest speaker.”

Past speakers have included former Maine State Police Commander Col. Allan Weeks, former WMTW morning news anchor Shannon Moss, and a Russian official who recalled the events of a school hostage situation which occurred several years ago.

The Graves are still searching for a guest speaker at this year’s dinner.

“We’ve had a lot of good speakers in the past. We haven’t found one yet for this year, but I’m sure it will be someone good,” Daren Graves said.

The Graveses expect 80 people to attend the celebration. The meal is prepared by local Rotarians and is only for the “Hometown Heroes” and spouses. There is no charge for the meal. And the Graveses hope many Boothbay first responders’ attend.