The Charles E. Sherman American Legion Post 36 in Boothbay is on a mission to honor local veterans dating back to World War II. The post is working on a project which would display large posters of servicemen in prominent locations in all four peninsula towns. Vietnam veteran Jim Singer is seeking support from local selectboards to place these posters. On July 26, he received approval from Boothbay selectmen. Southport followed suit on Aug. 2. 

Singer, along with Sarah Sherman, explained the post’s plan to Southport selectmen during their weekly meeting. Singer was motivated to pursue the project after seeing several towns in the Adirondacks honoring their local “Hometown Heroes” with posters. He traveled to upstate New York and western Pennsylvania in a recreational vehicle. “I was traveling with my wife, and we started seeing all these posters, one after another in all these small towns. So I thought this is something we can do here,” Singer said.

Post 36 has a record of 375 living veterans and 580 deceased in the past 10 years. All veterans, from World War II to present, are eligible to have a poster. The post plans to seek contributions to fund harness equipment and posters. A poster costs $125 and a harness costs $65. An anonymous donor has already contributed funds paying for 10 posters. The post wants to begin its tribute this November with placing already purchased posters up for a three-week period. 

The official tribute begins next May. The post will solicit donations through Feb. 29. Local public works crews will place posters on telephone poles prior to Memorial Day. Posters will remain hanging until Veterans Day. “We are here tonight to ask for your permission,” Singer said. “You will have say over where the posters are placed. We are proposing to start at the bridge, and placing them all the way down routes 27 and 238.”

All three selectmen supported the proposal. Board members Gerry Gamage, Smith Climo and Mary Lou Koskela also pledged to purchase at least one banner. If a veteran or their family would like to participate, they are instructed to contact representatives in each town. Town representatives are Sarah Sherman, Southport; Sue Burge, Boothbay; Joel Morley, Edgecomb; and Phil Chapman, Boothbay Harbor. “If families want to participate, but can’t due to financial reasons, they should contact us and we will make it happen,” Sherman said. “We don’t want anybody left out.”

In other action, selectmen accepted a Maine State Aquarium offer to host a tide-pooling/critter identification program. The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 10 at Hendricks Head Beach. Aquarium staff will be on site with nets and identification charts.

Selectmen renewed a liquor license for Robinson’s Wharf. The board also approved two town hall rental requests. Leslie Meyer received approval for hosting an Aug. 4 funeral reception, and Boothbay Region Garden Club reserved the hall for Nov. 28 to create Christmas centerpieces. 

Selectmen meet next at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9 in the municipal building.