‘Salute The Soldiers’

On Memorial Day Weekend

Newtown plans to honor the courage and self-sacrifice of veterans and active members of the armed forces with a Salute the Soldiers Ceremony during the American Legion’s annual memorial service Saturday, May 28, at 10 am, at the VFW Hall, 18 Tinkerfield Road.

The ceremony coincides with Memorial Day weekend and will pay tribute to all United States soldiers who have died defending America in all of the nation’s wars. Connecticut has lost 26 soldiers during the War in Iraq over the past three years, and Newtown has many servicemen and women in active duty. The ceremony will salute all of them, with a special focus on World War II veterans during the 60th anniversary of V-E Day.

The families of active duty military members are invited to call the organizing committee and provide the names of their loved ones to be read aloud during the service, which will be multigenerational, with plenty of youth involvement. The Second Company Governors Horse Guard will be in attendance.

The event will open with an invocation delivered by the Rev Mark Gross of the Baptist Church in Stratford, followed by a welcome by Boyd Saxton, adjutant, and brief remarks by Donald Monckton, former commander of American Legion Post 202, and First Selectman Herb Rosenthal. All three are Vietnam veterans. Mr Saxton also will serve as master of ceremonies

Newtown High School students Tyler von Oy, Amanda Eventoff, Kayla Koschel and Dan Morehouse will sing “The National Anthem” and “God Bless America,” and Edward Small will play “Taps” on trumpet.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 70 will perform the flag folding ceremony, led by Senior Patrol Leader Evan Breitling.

Veterans and the families of servicemen and women will be requested to step forward so they can be recognized during the ceremony. American Legion Post 202 and VFW Post 308 will present a wreath for the war monument.

Everyone in attendance will receive a flag, compliments of Caldwell & Walsh Building Construction, Inc, Linnell Real Estate, Flagpole Realty, Village Barber Shop, and Anthony Cascone.

The salute will take place rain or shine. Mr Saxton will deliver the benediction, followed by the firing of a cannon to commemorate the sacrifice of those who fought and died for their country.

Following the ceremony, complimentary coffee and donuts will be served to encourage those in attendance to linger and share their memories, thoughts, experiences, and tributes.

The Memorial Day Service Committee includes Boyd and Alice Saxton, Gail Tamborino, and Nancy Doniger. Call 426-2298 or 426-8563 for information or to provide names of active duty military members.