Salute The Troops

On Saturday

By Dottie Evans

Memorial Day Weekend 2003 in Newtown will be one for the history books, beginning with a number of colorful and patriotic events being organized by an extensive planning committee.

Salute The Troops ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 10 am at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion Post building and grounds located at 18 Tinkerfield Road, off Main Street South at Mile Hill Road. They will feature an honor guard, a flyover, a rifle salute, videotaping, and short speeches by local officials, military personnel, and veterans.

Among those who will speak at the Salute The Troops celebration will be Major General William Cugno, Adjutant General, State of Connecticut; First Selectman Herb Rosenthal; State Representative Julia Wasserman; Don Monckton, Commander American Legion Post 202, Adjutant VFW Post 308; and Nancy Doniger, organizing committee.

Other events will include the HHC, 242nd Eng Bn, Connecticut National Guard Honor Guard; a flyover by the 130th Fighter Wing Connecticut National Guard; 250th Eng Co (MGB), Connecticut National Guard unit just returning to Connecticut; a rifle salute by the 399th Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol of Danbury; and the 2nd Company Governor’s Horse Guard.

Newtown’s Senior Girl Scout Troop 478 will present Blue Star ribbon banners to families of servicemen and women and Girl Scout Nicole Kaza will sing the national anthem.

Opening prayers will be offered by Rev Steve Gordon of the Newtown Congregational Church and by Rabbi Shaul Praver, Congregation Adath Israel Synagogue.

The Newtown High School Audio Visual Club and Charter Communications will be videotaping the events, and Vincent Venitelli, senior bugler from the Newtown High School Band, will play taps.

The official name of the VFW Post is Charles Howard Peck Sr & Jr, Eric G. Blantin Post 308 Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, and George A. Powel American Legion Post 202.

The event will take place as scheduled, rain or shine.