Rallying ‘Round The Troops

By Dottie Evans

To demonstrate support for United States troops as well as for soldiers from Great Britain fighting in Iraq alongside the Americans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 308 held a rally Saturday, March 22, at post headquarters located on the corner of South Main Street and Mile Hill Road.

Post Commander Ernest “Junie” Ingram organized the rally in just two days, urging townspeople to show up with posters and other signs of their appreciation.

The early spring weather smiled on about a hundred individuals gathered on the grass alongside Route 25, and most passersby in their automobiles honked in agreement with the demonstrators’ show of support for the troops.

“We’ve only had two negative comments in the whole time we’ve been here, almost two hours,” said Theresa Laczkoski of Danbury.

“Some people just drive by and don’t wave. But most are honking and yelling right along with us,” she added.

Ms Laczkoski was there in particular to honor her friends Louis and Sara Toenjes from Kansas, both serving with the marines.

“They are presently in California awaiting orders,” she said.

Longtime VFW member Ralph Loveland watched the rally from the steps of the post building. He seemed lost in thought as he gazed at the crowd and the wildly waving American flags.

“I wonder how it will all come out?” he mused.

“I’ve seen it all in my time,” Mr Loveland said, saying he’d served in the Atlantic and the Pacific during World War II and had been posted in Russia, Italy, and Asia.

Junior Vice Commander Pete Sturgess and Rick Orten held signs in red, white, and blue made by Curtis Packaging Company in Newtown.

Post Commander Donald Monckton and other members of his family were there. His son, Richard Monckton, age 26, is a battalion commander with the 250th Bridge Company Engineers stationed in Fort Eustis, Va.

“Almost all of his command has been mobilized and he’s eager to go,” said Commander Monckton.

Commander Robert Knapp of Newtown of the 192nd Engineers in New London stood nearby Commander Monckton at Saturday’s rally.

Tom Monckton, age 16, sat on the deck of the post building and was in charge of the public address system. A nearby stack of his father’s CDs was the source of the rousing songs and patriotic marches that spurred on the demonstrators.

Post Commander Ingram said Wednesday morning, “The turnout was great.”

He is hoping that families with sons and daughters in the military, who are waiting anxiously for their children to come home, will display the special blue star flags in their front windows. The flags have been ordered by the VFW and are due in town this week.

“People can stop by post headquarters to pick them up. First, they should call the VFW at 426-9316 to be sure someone is there to meet them,” Commander Ingram said.

In addition, the VFW is hoping to gather photographs of all Newtown men and women who are serving in the Iraq war and there are plans to post their pictures in a visible place in town. The Bee has also agreed to publish the pictures.

“We ask that people provide full name and rank, and that they give a contact phone number on the back of the photo,” Commander Monckton said.

“Letters are also welcome if families feel like they want to share them,” he added.

Anyone wishing to contribute a photo should call Commander Monckton at 426-7952.