Saluting The Troops

To the Editor:

As the mother of a soldier stationed in Germany, I empathize with every family who has a loved one serving our country, here at home or overseas. I felt a strong desire to let our servicemen and women know how much we appreciate their courage and sacrifice during the war in Iraq and the continuing occupation.

The Salute the Troops celebration May 24 in conjunction with the traditional Memorial Day ceremony at the Charles Howard Peck Sr and Jr, Eric G. Blantin Post 308 Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall was a collective demonstration of the Newtown community’s gratitude to its servicemen and veterans.

More Newtown families have loved ones in the military than I realized. I have had the privilege of talking with many military families who have shared remarkable stories of courage displayed by their loved ones, quite a few on the front lines in Iraq. Others are serving elsewhere to protect our national interests against terrorism and other threats to democracy.

I want to thank everyone who made the Salute the Troops celebration possible. Major General William Cugno, the adjutant general of the Connecticut Military Service, honored Newtown and its military personnel with his stirring speech about his commitment to the safe return of the state’s soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen. Several members of the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard, who always make a stately presence, attended him. Maj Gen Cugno also had arranged for a flyover by the 130th Fighter Wing of the Connecticut National Guard, which had just returned from Iraq. Unfortunately the flyover had to be cancelled on account of the weather.

Maj Gen Cugno brought Honor Guard HHC, 242nd Engineer Battalion of the Connecticut National Guard, led by Lt Col Robert Knapp, who is a member of VFW Post 308, and the 399. He also brought Composite Squadron civil air patrol of Danbury. We appreciate their participation.

Speakers included First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, a Vietnam Veteran, and State Rep Julia Wasserman, a Korean Conflict veteran. They deserve gratitude for their military service and community leadership. Boyd Saxton, American Legion commander for the state, spoke about the satisfaction he derives from representing state and local veterans and doing what he can to improve their lives.

Donald Monckton, commander of American Legion Post 202, served as master of ceremonies, speaker and organizer, working tirelessly to make the ceremony a success. He deserves special commendation for his extraordinary efforts. His son, Specialist Richard Monckton of the 250th MGB Eng. Co. arrived home less than two days earlier, after his engineering company was demobilized. He and the three other Army engineers in attendance had trained intensively to go to Iraq for the past five months. Since the combat phase of the war was so swift and targeted, few bridges were destroyed and needed replacing, according to Maj Gen Cugno, who said that Connecticut’s bridge builders are the best in the nation.

Thank you to the Rev Steven Gordon of the Newtown Congregational Church who delivered the invocation and benediction, to Newtown High School sophomore and Girl Scout Nicole Kaza who sang the national anthem and to Newtown High School band member Vincent Venetelli who played “Taps” on the trumpet.

Special thanks to the Newtown High School Tech Club for taping the ceremony and to the Tech Club and Charter Communications for showing it on Public Access TV Channels 17 and 21 all weekend long. Thank you also to The Newtown Bee for your excellent coverage of this community event.

Thank you to Senior Girl Scout Troop 478 presented Blue Star ribbon banners to families of servicemen and women. Members of the VFW and American Legion presented patriotic ribbons to veterans and servicemen in attendance. VFW Commander Ernest Ingram and VFW and American Legion members presented the colors and contributed to the event’s success in many other ways.

We appreciate the attendance of Lt Col William Scott Ander, a Gulf War veteran and Mideast specialist, who dignified the event in his Blues uniform. His wife, Barrette Ander, told me she has ideas for next year’s celebration, which I would love to hear about.

I would also like to thank First Selectman Herb Rosenthal and American Legion Post 202 Commander Don Monckton, who served on the planning committee with me.

Thank you to all those who braved the rainy weather to honor Newtown’s military personnel. Most of all, thank you to the troops for your courage and bravery in protecting our freedom. We love you, we miss you, and we hope you soon will be back home with us again.

Nancy Doniger

4 Saddle Ridge Road, Newtown                                      June 2, 2003