Americans are grateful year-round to our military who have made sacrifices to keep America safe and free. There are over three dozen military holidays that are celebrated throughout the year, but the most known are Armed Forces Day, Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

Armed Forces Day is the day to honor all the men and women currently serving in all branches of the military. It is celebrated on the third Saturday in May. 

Veterans Day - originally called Armistice Day began as an occasion to reflect upon the heroism of those who died in our country's service. It falls on Nov. 11, the anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I. Major hostilities were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. At the urging of major U.S. veteran organizations,Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954to honor all military veterans, including those who served in peacetime and did not see combat.

Memorial Day is the most somber of allholidays. Celebrated on the last Monday in May, it honors and mourns all military that died in service.

Originally known as Decoration Day, several states (PA, SC,GA,VA, MS) has claimed to have started it, when during and after the war communities placed spring flowers on the graves of soldiers. It was formally established in 1868. The name was changed to Memorial Day in 1967. 

Boothbay has always answered the call to duty and has participated in every conflict America has fought. So, on this official start of summer as we break out the barbecue grill and march in parades, let us remember those that gave their lives for their country. 

Pear Street/Civil War: Edwin Sargent, Weld Sargent

Kenniston/Civil War: William Tibbetts 

Wylie/Civil War: Albert Bryer, Alva Carlisle (Cenotaph), Harvey Giles, Henry Giles, John Giles (Cenotaph), William Kelley, James Knight, Austin Lewis, Thomas Lewis,Charles S. McCobb, NathanielMcFarland, JohnMatthews, OsgoodPinkham, Nathaniel Sherman, Thomas Tibbetts, Charles Webber, Alexander Wylie, Levi Wylie 

Clam Avenue/Civil War: Robert Welch – Cenotaph 

Green Landing/Civil War: Charles Boyd, James Seavey

Oceanview/World War I: Isaac Giles, Sidney Orne, Charles E. Sherman Jr.; World War II: Dwight Dodge (Cenotaph), Maurice Dodge, William Trask 

Oaklawn/World War II: George Jones Jr., Ainsley Pinkham,Earl Pinkham; Korea: Arthur Barlow 

Evergreen/World War II: Harold Giles, Malcolm Carter; Vietnam: Gordon Tibbetts