Remembering those who have fought and those who have died defending our freedom and democratic way of life is ever more poignant this year against the backdrop of so many American lives, including those of veterans, lost in 2020 to the coronavirus.

On Nov. 10, at least 13 masked members and supporters of the Boothbay Region Garden Club turned out to lay a wreath at the Blue Star Memorial Marker on Route 27 near Boothbay Region High School. Linda Redman, Garden Club Federation of Maine (GCFM) Blue Star chairman, reminded the group that on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, we remember and honor all those who serve and have served in all branches of the U.S. military. Ponder the following quote by John Quincy Adams as you thank service members today: “You will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it.”

We should all remember that freedom is not free and that sacrifice is often necessary in the preservation of life. This year we each have the unique opportunity to make good use of our freedom to help save the lives of our fellow Americans; a list which includes friends, neighbors, family, and even ourselves, by wearing masks and adhering to common sense health and safety guidelines to get us through to the other side of this pandemic. Hopefully, by November 2021, we can once again gather in groups to watch parades and witness commemorative Veterans Day events in a more traditional and unrestricted style.