When former resident Colonel Robert Morris, Jr (Ret), returned to Newtown recently, he met Frank Colacurcio at VFW Post 308. The two subsequently met at the former home of Col Morris’s father, the late Robert C. Morris, Sr, where Mr Colacurcio noticed statues of soldiers — concrete stone men in military uniform, arms raised in salute. Col Morris and his father are both veterans. The men then had the idea that similar statues would be a good addition at the VFW.

Tuesday evening, September 15, found a small gathering of VFW Post members with Col Morris as he donated four 20-inch statues representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Each statue carries a flag for its respective branch of the service.

Col Morris, in partnership with the Newtown-based 501(c)(3) charity Partners International Foundation and its Helping The Heroes Program, presented the set of commemorative statues to post members.

Post Commander Walter Dolan greeted Col Morris, and along with Mr Colacurcio, they were joined by past commander Dan Kearns, Men’s Auxiliary member Bill Clark, and Ladies Auxiliary member Jen Clark.

Col Morris shook hands and stood beside the statues. “I thought [the donation] would be nice,” he said. Mentioning veterans, from his father to uncles and a cousin, he said, “They cover all branches of service, and they span generations.”

The statues are in honor of Mr Morris, Sr. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and Korea.

Col Morris is a veteran of more than 31 years, which also includes combat assignments. He also honors the service of his uncles John Wrable, Jr, who served in the Army in World War II; Charles Wrable, who served in the Navy in World War II; Frank Peck, who served in the Air Force in World War II; John Wrable III, who served with the Marines during Vietnam; and John Norwell, a lifelong resident with deep ties to the community.

Mr Dolan took a moment to thank Col Morris, and soon members arranged the four statues in the VFW Memory Corner, which pays tribute to prisoners of war and those missing in action.

Partners International Foundation and its programs have a history in Newtown of supporting both veterans and first responders, a press release states. Through a campaign against improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the foundation serves as an international non-governmental entity organized to counter this threat.

Learn more about the Helping The Heroes Program at helpingtheheroes.com.