"Newtown remembers with grateful prayers and solemn vows her sacred dead [and] her honored living…" reads the dedication on the Liberty and Peace monument, often referred to as the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at the head of Main Street.

As rain broke on Friday, May 26, a bright sun shone on plaques at its base carrying the names of veterans past, from the Revolutionary War and Civil War through the Persian Gulf War of 1990-91.

Decorative flags - many carrying a ribbon in memory of a loved one, soon spread around the monument, thanks to the annual Newtown Woman's Club, GFWC efforts.

Coke Cramer and Jan Happel pressed flags into the lawn, and shared the work with Nancy Kennedy, Marion and Dave Thompson, and Pat Bailey with her pup, Amazing Grace.

Just in time for the Memorial Day weekend, the group worked to decorate the small patch of lawn where the monument and plaques stand where Schoolhouse Hill and Hanover Roads meet Main Street.

Looking at some of the flags she had set in place, Ms Kennedy said all the flags were in honor or memory of veterans who have served. Learn more about the monument at ctmonuments.net.