Memorial Day Ceremony Planned––

Military Families Asked To Step Forward

By Dottie Evans

Planning is underway for a celebration Saturday, May 24, at 10 am, at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Hall on 18 Tinkerfield Road off South Main Street at Mile Hill Road. Organizers of the event are hoping that local families with men and women in the service will become involved.

“We want to hear from the families and would like pictures of their loved ones,” said Nancy Doniger, mother of Sergeant Colin Doniger with the United States Army.

Photographs should be sent or delivered to the VFW hall in care of Commander Don Monckton of the American Legion. The VFW contact phone number is 426-9316.

“We want the public to come out and bring flags and patriotic banners in support of our local service people. Since the ceremony will take place Memorial Day Weekend, it will first and foremost honor those veterans from all wars, including the war in Iraq,” Mrs Doniger said.

William Cugno, the adjutant general of the Connecticut National Guard, will speak and bring along an Honor Guard, gun salute, and the Governor’s Horse Guard.

Other speakers will include Don Monckton, whose son Specialist Richard Monckton is in the United States Army awaiting deployment; First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, who is a Vietnam veteran; and Representative Julia Wasserman, who was an Army captain during the Korean conflict.

A fly-over is planned, there will be patriotic music from students of the Newtown schools, and Newtown clergy will offer prayers.

For further information, people should call Nancy Doniger at 203-926-2080, extension 319 (work) or 426-8563 (home).