First, a big thank you to Midcoast Coastal Properties, Boothbay Self-Storage, for their most generous donation of an 8-foot x 16-foot storage unit! The Post has been in need of a storage unit for years. One storage unit we have has lasted long past its expected useful life. A temporary “tent” garage was put in place a few years ago and has been repaired a number of times after storms. I was discussing this problem with my neighbor, Jim Duffy, and he said, “I think I have a solution!” So, this past week, Jim had the storage unit put in place at the Hall. This would not have been possible without the generosity of Eric Wood (E.M. Wood Construction) who provided the Post with five yards of gravel as a foundation for the storage unit. Jim is the owner of Midcoast Properties, which includes Boothbay Self Storage, and just happens to be a neighbor of the Post as well. We also really appreciate the support of Linda Harriman (in the picture), the general manager of Midcoast Properties! The Post and many of its members have been supporting veterans who are struggling, in danger of homelessness, or are homeless. We often get calls from our community offering donations to support veterans in need. The challenge is where to store them until they can be provided to a needy veteran. This storage unit solves that problem! We will also now be able to accept donated items throughout the year for our annual Yard Sale. Additionally, we can relocate important items not immediately needed from inside the Hall to the storage unit, making the Hall more attractive and functional for our members and renters. So, many thanks to Jim, Linda, and Boothbay Self Storage! 

We are approaching Memorial Day. I will have a Memorial Day message next week, but thought I would provide a little background that perhaps you didn’t know. The tradition of placing wreaths/flowers actually started with ladies back in the 1860s.  

A trio of women in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, decorated the graves of fallen soldiers in October 1884. And then in April 1866, ladies from Columbus, Georgia, lobbied for a clearly defined Memorial Day on which to place flowers on the graves of the Civil War dead.  A Ladies Memorial Association Secretary, Mary Ann Williams, published a letter on March 11, 1866, advocating setting a specific date to “wreathe the graves of our martyred dead with flowers” on April 26, 1866.  The date was later changed by the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) to May 30 to ensure availability of "the choicest flowers of springtime" all over the country. 

More on the history of Memorial Day and the meaning of Memorial Day next week. 

The Red Cross Blood Drive is held at the American Legion Hall the first Thursday each month. The next day is June 5. Sign up either online or call 800-733-2767.