Thumbs up to all the local veterans of war who received the Maine Silver Star last week, and to those who arranged to recognize the men for their service to the country. The star is given to any veteran who has earned a Purple Heart, was a prisoner of war, or was wounded or killed in action in the current war on terror.

Peter Ogden, Legal Maine Veterans director said that many such veterans have yet to be located and we join him in urging families to step forward so that all veterans can receive the proper recognition.

Thumbs up to the Town of Sanford for investing in a free-standing police station after the police department has “made do” with basement and town hall spaces since 1898. The town has grown to a point where a modern police station is now a necessity. Those with such an important job must be supported with the best possible facilities and the station will undoubtedly be a point of pride once it is built.

Thumbs up to all of those who plan, participate in, and visit the annual Acton Fair, which celebrates our agricultural heritage and culture. The displays and competitions of animals, vegetables and baked goods celebrates the simple fruits of local labor and the simple pleasures that so many have forsaken for technology nowadays.

Thumbs up to Claire Unsinn of Kennebunk, Dave James of Kennebunkport and those in Arundel who plan to join a noise abatement committee, for their efforts to address the problem of excessive motorcycle noise. Even many motorcyclists agree that the noise has gotten out of hand and these proactive residents are working on a fair way to take some local control while waiting for legislative action.

Thumbs up to the Kennebunk selectmen’s proposal to eliminate some streetlights throughout town. If some residents feel that safety is an issue, they can install their own light or pay for the existing light. For the average taxpayer, the idea is a good cost-cutting measure that will have little impact on the general population.

Thumbs up to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for their efforts to work with Hills Beach residents to develop a plan for protection of piping plovers rather than impose a restrictive “essential habitat” designation on the area. The compromise would help the beach renourishment efforts go forward as planned while still protecting the threatened birds.

Thumbs down to the swimmers statewide who ignored the warnings of lifeguards and park rangers as Hurricane Bill created strong winds and high waves during the weekend of Aug. 22-23. Cooling off in the surf ”“ even on the hottest day ”“ just isn’t worth the risk of drowning or being bashed against the rocks. It seems that many people spend too much time away from nature to have the proper respect for it.

Thumbnails is a Monday feature of the Journal Tribune’s opinion pages. If you would like to respond, please write the Reader’s Forum via e-mail at jtcommunity@journaltribune.com or by dropping your letter off at our Biddeford or Sanford offices.