Newtown Middle School (NMS) teacher Susan Lang and military veteran Joe Borst were honored with the Community Americanism Award by the American Legion Post 202 on Veterans Day, November 11.

After the NMS eighth grade Veterans Day Assembly in the auditorium, a surprise announcement was made that members of the American Legion Post 202 were there to give an award.

“The American Legion is a national veteran service organization that formed after World War I by veterans who wanted to give back to their community,” American Legion Post 202 Commander and United States Army veteran Nick Cabral said to the students and staff seated before him.

“One way that we give back to our community is by recognizing patriotic service…” he explained. “This morning, I have the pleasure of presenting one of your teachers with the Community Americanism Award for patriotism and devotion to teaching about Americanism and service.”

He then introduced American Legion Post 202 member and United States Army veteran John “Chuck” Taylor.

When Mr Taylor revealed that the award would be given to Ms Lang for her dedication and passion to teaching Newtown’s youth about patriotism in the classroom and beyond, there was a roar of applause throughout the room.

The proclamation detailed, “As a teacher at NMS for the past 20 years, you have consistently given more than is required. This has been shown by your extra duties as the Newspaper Club advisor, as the point person for the annual eighth grade trip to our nation’s capital, and as a member of the Team Building Facilitators. This passion for service continues outside of your profession, where you share your musical talents by both mentoring music students and by performing at events in support of local veteran service organizations and the community at large.

“For your patriotism and devotion to teaching our youth about Americanism and service, The American Legion Department of Connecticut hereby presents Ms Susan Lang the Community Americanism Award.”

Ms Lang smiled as she received an engraved plaque and bouquet of red flowers.

In between hugs with Donna Monteleone Randle, senior vice commander of American Legion Post 202, and NMS students, Ms Lang said she was very surprised to have been awarded.

Joe Borst

Mr Cabral and Mr Taylor later presented Michael Borst the 2019 Community Americanism Award for his father, former first selectman Joe Borst, at Newtown High School on November 11 at the end of a Veterans Day ceremony in the school’s auditorium. Joe Borst could not attend the ceremony, and Mr Borst accepted the award graciously in his place.

“I know for a fact my father will always hold Newtown close to his heart,” said Mr Borst.

Mr Borst said his father was a member of the Silent Generation, but he considers his father to be a member of the Greatest Generation, as his qualities of serving God, his country, his town, and community exemplify the traits many associate with that generation. He cannot remember a time when his father was not actively involved in his community.

“He always had the best interest of Newtown at heart,” Mr Borst said.

As presented, Joe Borst’s award reads, “In recognition of your dedication and passion to your lifetime of service to community, state, and nation. This dedication was first proven as a member of the US Army Air Corps and subsequently the US Air Force. Your federal service then continued as a government contractor on such important projects as the Titan and Minuteman Missiles and the Hubbell Telescope among others. Locally, you provided years of service to the Newtown community through volunteer work including service to the St Rose of Lima [Roman] Catholic Church, the Newtown High School Band parents, and the Newtown Forest Association. You expanded upon that community service by holding numerous positions in local government up to and including that of First Selectman.

“For your patriotism and devotion to the United States of American and the community of Newtown, Connecticut, The American Legion Department of Connecticut hereby presents Joseph Borst the Community Americanism Award.”

Joe Borst, now 92, never let retirement slow him down, Mr Borst observed, adding that his father ran for first selectman at the age of 80 and won. For his father and those in his generation, Mr Borst said, service to the community is never over.