As you drive down Route 27 from the Boothbay Town Hall into Boothbay Harbor, you are reminded that we are about to honor our veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice for this great country and are now, once again, watching over us from a difference place. This is the time when some of our area veterans gather to once again march reminding us of the many hours so many years ago when we tried so hard to ensure the left foot went ahead of the right at the same time all the other left feet went forward.

As in the old days, we will have our drill sergeant (Sgt. Barry Sherman) ensuring we know when we aren’t. Whether we are successful this Monday or not, we will be proud to be in the parade, not representing ourselves, that comes Veterans Day, but honoring our fallen. We will have a few more vehicles in the parade this year so we can ensure veterans unable to walk can join us. I do ask everyone to understand that the goal is to have as many veterans being part of the service at the memorial as possible. So, if a vehicle ends up in front of you, move to a spot where you can be a part of the memorial service as well.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, began during the American Civil War when citizens placed flowers on the graves of those who had been killed in battle. After World War I, it changed to honor those who died in all wars, and its name changed to Memorial Day. This Memorial Day, you might consider taking a little extra time to visit one of the many cemeteries in the region, stroll through the grave markers and when you find a grave of a person who died in the service of the country, take a moment, say his/her name, and think about the sacrifice that person made and the family left behind. Maybe take a flower or two and leave that behind.

Sunday, I walked through Oceanside Cemetery to visit the Charles E. Sherman Jr. grave. Charles E. Sherman Jr. was in Company M 103rd infantry, and was killed at Chateau-Thierry in the second battle of the Marne in 1918. The Battle of Château-Thierry was one of the first actions of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) under General John J. Pershing. This battle would later be designated as the turning point of World War I. His gravestone states his military unit, where and when he died. On the other side of the stone in scripted with his Dad, Charles Sr. who lived to 1938 and his mom Mary who died in 1943. Today they would be called a “Gold Star” family. In honor of his service and sacrifice to this country, the American Legion Post in Boothbay is named for him, Charles E. Sherman Jr. Post 36. Visiting our cemeteries and honoring our heroes who died in combat will be a humbling experience!