Dozens gathered in Augusta Monday to honor veterans at a service hosted by the Togus VA Medical Center.

“Here at VA Maine, we’re honored to recognize the men and women who served America in uniform, both past and present, at home and abroad, in times of war and in periods of restless peace between wars,” said Tracye Davis, medical center director.

From the Civil War to the War on Terrorism, more than 40 million Americans have served, she said.

The ceremony began with the Kennebec Valley Honor Guard presenting the flags, the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem. Representatives of three members of Maine’s Congressional Delegation delivered remarks and Sen. Angus King, an independent, appeared in person.

He said the sprawling Togus campus, which provides many levels of physical and mental health care to thousands of veterans each year, demonstrates the country’s commitment to caring for veterans.

But he also noted the 130 or so homeless veterans in Maine.

“We should abolish the term homeless veterans,” he said. “It shouldn’t exist.”

King said despite all of the political rhetoric of the last week following the presidential election, veterans’ issues are nonpartisan.

“There won’t be any change in Washington with regard to commitment to veterans,” he said. “That is a constant. And that’s something you can rely upon and you should take some comfort in that.”

Chuck Mahaleris, a spokesman for Republican Sen. Susan Collins, reminded those gathered of the history of Veterans Day, which dates to 1918, when fighting ended on the western front in World War I. Through the years and many wars later, the day is now set aside to honor the service of all veterans.

During the ceremony at Togus, Davis asked spouse and caregiver Tammy Dempsey to help her place a wreath at the base of the flagpole. She also presented her with a coin to honor her role in providing care to her husband, a Marine veteran.

“She was instrumental in providing care for him, she was a partner with us here at VA Maine, a partner for him and she was extremely dedicated,” Davis said. “I think we as a country, as part of honoring and thanking veterans for their service, is being attuned to their needs and providing that care.”

First opened in 1866 following the Civil War, Togus is the country’s oldest veteran care center. At first, it was designed to be a home for disabled veterans but evolved to become a full-service medical center after World War II to meet the demands of the large number of returning veterans, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Monday ceremony was one of several across Maine. Gov. Janet Mills released a statement to honor veterans.

“Maine can proudly say that we are home to one of the highest number of veterans per capita of any state in the country,” Mills said. “That is because Maine has always shouldered its responsibility to protect our country, with Maine people defending our nation and its ideals in nearly every conflict throughout our history.”