A Solemn Ceremony

To the Editor:

It was our honor and privilege to have been invited to co-host the commemorative ceremony in remembrance of all the victims of the twin tower attack in New York City on 9/11, conducted on the grounds of Mr and Mrs Howard Lasher in Newtown on September 8. Mr Lasher requested a solemn ceremony in that regard and the Korean War Veterans Association was pleased to respond on his behalf. The program was conducted on the site adjacent to the American flag-painted trees off Route 302, and could not have been as successfully reflective had it not been for so many groups and individuals who volunteered to participate and gave generously of their time and talents.

Our thanks to First Selectman Herb Rosenthal and Mae Schmidle for their presentations, as well as to Thomas Sheehan for his emotional signing of our National Anthem. Particularly too we are grateful to the representing clergy, Rabbi Shaul Praver, Reverend Jack Tanner, and Deacon Norman Roos.

In keeping with the spirit of the remembrance service, which was in tribute to ten friends of Mr Lasher — and all others who died on 9/11 — the ceremonies included members of the VFW Post 308, police and fire personnel from Newtown and Dodgingtown, along with the representatives of the Bethel Fire Department and Sherry Holmberg. Our gratitude too to piper Don Hicks and to the youth of Newtown — students from Newtown Middle School under Cathy Cincogrono, and the large contingent of Boy and Girl Scouts, whose presence was arranged by Mr and Mrs Peter Lubinsky, troop leaders.

To all of these, the public in attendance, and most especially to my brothers of the Korean War Veterans Association whose planning and expertise was sincerely appreciated, my heartfelt thanks!

Bernard Rotunda

President

Greater Danbury Area

Korean War Veterans Association

PO Box 2632, Danbury, CT 06813                        September 20, 2007