Ted Kennedy will be there. And John Edwards. And John Kerry. And Bill and Hillary. And Michael, Ed and Elaine.

Businessman Michael Broderick of Bethel, retired Navy veteran Ed Desgrosseilliers of Auburn, and college professor and state Rep. Elaine Makas of Lewiston will be among 35 Mainers at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, which starts Monday and ends Thursday.

Each of the area Democrats considers their trip to the convention – including the traffic, the crowds, the long lines and tight security – as an adventure and a part of history.

Each has spent two years volunteering for a Democratic presidential campaign, Broderick and Makas for Kerry, Desgrosseilliers for Howard Dean. This week, they will all support Kerry.

Inside, on Page A4, is a look at the area’s only delegates to the convention, their thoughts on John Kerry and what they see as the challenges facing the country.

Michael Broderick: 53, of Bethel.

Occupation: Corporate purchasing and supply manager for American Skiing Co., Bethel.

Family: Spouse, Eileen Broderick, two grown sons.

Background: Broderick met Kerry in 1972 when Kerry first ran for Congress. Broderick headed up a campaign office in Lawrence, Mass. Kerry won the primary, but lost the general election. Broderick met his wife, Eileen Brennan, then a young Kerry volunteer, during the campaign. They married two years later and will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary on Aug. 31.

Why are you involved? “Because I have a lot of faith in John Kerry. I worked for him in 1972, and I fully expected then at some point I’d have an opportunity to work on a John Kerry presidential campaign, because of his intellect, his compassion. … John Kerry has his priorities right. He’s a smart and articulate individual who really cares about our country, about people.”

Did you get involved because you support Kerry or want Bush out? Both. “I’m terribly embarrassed about the way (the United States under Bush) has behaved, in terms of the arrogance with which we went into the Iraq war. It now appears we had minimal data to support the rationale for war. … I don’t think we can present ourselves as a society seeking peace.”

With concern about possible terrorist attacks during the conventions, are you worried about your safety? “The fact that we’re vulnerable is obvious. But Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge has probably erred on the side of caution. I’m a fatalist. When your number is up, your number’s up. We’ll have to be patient” and expect long security lines. “I’m planning on doing a lot of walking and carrying a book or two with me.”

Ed Desgrosseilliers: 62, of Auburn.

Occupation: Retired from the Navy after 22 years, and retired from the Postal Service after working as an Auburn letter carrier; active in labor unions.

Family: Spouse, Sheila Desgrosseilliers, three grown sons, one grown daughter.

Background: Has long been interested in politics, recently got involved in Auburn City Democrats to help attract more state support for the Lewiston-Auburn region. One of his sons, Todd Desgrosseilliers, 41, is a lieutenant colonel in the Marines and is being deployed to Iraq. His son is a trained professional, but Desgrosseilliers worries. “He’ll be in Baghdad in September. Those in the combat zones are like moving targets.”

Why are you involved? “I blame Bush directly for the demise of our economic structure in Maine. Our jobs are being outsourced.” Companies and individuals that support what Desgrosseilliers calls the “evil” Bush administration have been given economic advantages to send jobs overseas. “I hold the president responsible for the many lives lost in Iraq. … The reasons for the war were wrong.” America can’t expect to make quick changes in the Middle East, he said. “Democracy is an evolution that occurs.”

Did you get involved because you support Kerry or want Bush out? Both. “I supported Howard Dean at the state caucus. … I like to say I voted for Dean, but got married to Kerry. … I’m really scared of what another four years of Bush will do to this country.”

With concern about possible terrorist attacks during the conventions, are you worried about your safety? “I do share some apprehension going into a situation that might be in harm’s way, but it’s important for us all to focus on the task at hand.”

Elaine Makas: 58, of Lewiston.

Occupation: Part-time state legislator, part-time professor of psychology at Lewiston-Auburn College.

Family: Single.

Background: Born and raised in the Boston area, graduated from Bates College in 1967. Lived in Washington, D.C., and California before returning to Maine in 1989. Has been involved in promoting civil rights in California and Washington, worked at the local, county and state level for the Maine Democratic Party. Eventually Makas decided to run for the state House of Representatives and is now seeking her second term.

Why are you involved? “I want to be a part of this convention, and traditionally Lewiston-Auburn has been underrepresented. We’re still underrepresented. Bangor has five delegates going, we have two. I’m hoping in the future we can have other people running and end up with more representation.”

Did you get involved because you want John Kerry in or George Bush out? Both. “I support John Kerry and have supported him all along. I want Bush out.”

With concern about possible terrorist attacks during the conventions, are you worried about your safety? “No, we’ll be fine. I feel bad for the people of Boston. They’re talking about closing restrooms after 5 p.m., closing some roads and trains, taking out trash cans. People live and work in Boston. They’ll be inconvenienced.”