Town Prepares to Honor its Veterans

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The Town of Greenwich will host several events to honor Veterans Day. Last year, after the Community Patriotic Walk, the Greenwich Veterans Council, in cooperation with the American Legion Post 29 hosted a ceremony at the monument in front of the Board of Education building on Greenwich Ave. (John Ferris Robben photo)

By Richard Kaufman
Sentinel Reporter

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in the year 1918, an armistice, or truce, was declared between allied nations and Germany in World War I.

Originally called “Armistice Day”, Nov. 11, 1919 was intended to celebrate the end of “The Great War.”

But Congress eventually passed a resolution in 1926 calling for an annual observance, which later turned into a national holiday starting in 1938. President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954, which signified that the day was meant to celebrate veterans of all wars, turning it into a more somber occasion.

Congress passed the Uniform Holiday Bill in 1968, which moved the observance of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October which went into effect in 1971. However, in 1975, President Gerald Ford moved the date back to Nov. 11 because of the historical significance associated with the date.

Now, the town of Greenwich is once again ready to commemorate another Veterans Day next weekend with a handful of events.

Starting on Nov. 3 and going through Nov. 10, various elementary and middle schools in Greenwich will host appreciation assemblies and classroom presentations with area veterans.

On Saturday, Nov. 4 at 10:30 a.m. the Cos Cob VFW Post 10112 will host a brief ceremony at the monument on Strickland Road across from the Bush-Holley House.

Residents are invited to gather at the top of Greenwich Avenue at the Amogerone Crossway for the fifth annual Community Patriotic Walk on Saturday, Nov. 11 beginning at 10:15 a.m.

Following the walk, the Greenwich Veterans Council, in cooperation with the American Legion Post 29 will host a ceremony at the monument in front of the Board of Education building on Greenwich Ave., at 11 a.m.

The council was established last year as a way to bring together all of the various organizations within the community that represent veterans to help coordinate their activities. Board member, Daniel Griffin, said Korean War veterans are especially invited to the walk and subsequent ceremony.

“The other walks [in previous years] were dedicated to WWII, Vietnam, Desert Storm. We want to make sure that the Korean veterans are remembered,” he said.

Griffin believes that veterans should be honored every day, not just on a designated holiday.

“It’s important to learn about history and remember history because if you don’t, you’re doomed to repeat it,” Griffin said. “The people should be reminded of the sacrifices the veterans and their families gave for our country.”

The Redmen’s Home Association will host their third annual luncheon for Greenwich veterans at its hall at 17 E. Elm St., immediately following the ceremony.

Redmen’s Home Association board of directors president, David D’Andrea, started the event three years ago and said it’s been growing every year. “The word is this year we’ll probably be packed out the door,” he said.

D’Andrea said the event is something he wants to continue for years to come.

“It’s one of our main causes in our mission,” he said of supporting and helping veterans. “It’s just a good time. We look forward to saying thank you to them and making them happy.”

The USO Show Girls will perform for the second year in a row, and a free, combination lunch and brunch will be served.

“You can tell [the veterans are] so appreciative. As you hear them start talking amongst each other, it’s just amazing,” D’Andea said. “People go up and say, ‘Thank you’, to them. It’s just a good day for the country and it’s a great day for the veterans.”

D’Andrea said it’s important to remember veterans and thank them often so the holiday isn’t taken for granted.

“Without them, what freedom would we have? Therefore we have to acknowledge that, honor that and respect it.”

Closing out the weekend’s events will be a parade hosted by the Byram Veterans Association that starts at the organization’s headquarters at 300 Delavan Ave. An open house at Hornik Hall will follow.

Veterans will receive free admission to the Bruce Museum on Veterans Day, as well as complimentary car washes courtesy of Splash Car Wash.

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