Cos Cob Vets Host Annual Veterans Day Ceremony

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Cos Cob Veterans hold its annual ceremony. (Matthew Bracchitta photo)

By Richard Kaufman
Sentinel Reporter

Various residents, area veterans and state and local elected officials came out last Saturday to honor those who have served the country at the annual Cos Cob Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10112 Veterans Day ceremony.

“I don’t want to call it a memorial, I want to call it a celebration,” said the post’s director of outreach, Bill Cameron, in his opening remarks.

The ceremony took place at the small park on Strickland Road, and featured the pledge of allegiance, prayers from the post’s chaplain, Lou Caravella, and the playing of taps from post bugler, George Bennett.

“There’s hardly one of us, anyone in this country over a certain age, whose lives have not been touched in some fashion by the service and the gift of veterans,” Cameron said.

Cameron went on to talk about the history of Veterans Day, which was originally called Armistice Day and celebrated the end of World War I. He told a story about his father-in-law, John Gilmour, who was a soldier with the Royal Scotts Fusiliers in France.

Near the time of the truce, or armistice which ended the war on the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month, Gilmour found himself in a makeshift shelter in a muddy, rain-soaked trench suffering from a severe case of pneumonia. Drifting in and out of consciousness, he could hear his fellow servicemen arguing over who would get his boots when he died.

“Hearing them arguing touched a deep stubbornness in John, and sparked his will to live,” Cameron said.

Members of the Cos Cob VFW meet with First Selectman Peter Tesei, Fred Camillo, Livvy Floren, Mike Bucchino and Scott Frantz after the ceremony Saturday. (Matthew Bracchitta photo)

Suddenly, the artillery, machine guns and the rifle fire fell silent, and the war was over.

“For the first time after months of hand-to-hand combat, John knew that he was going to live to go home. And [he] subsequently become my wife’s father,” Cameron said.

Cameron also spoke about waiting, and what it means to those close to the armed services. Whether it’s waiting for a mission to begin or end, waiting for meals, waiting for mail or waiting for darkness to fall or dawn to break, waiting is the oldest requirement in military service.

But for loved ones at home, the waiting can be long and weary. “It is said that the hardest job in the military today, is the spouse or wife of personnel deployed overseas,” said Cameron, noting that the waiting may never end for some families.

Town of Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei was in attendance, and said after the ceremony that it’s vital to think about the sacrifices veterans have made in order to ensure freedom here and abroad.

“We are here today because they fought over there,” he said. “It’s important to take a moment and seriously reflect upon that and to not take freedom for granted, because people gave their lives in the pursuit of it.,” he said.

Cameron closed his remarks by asking for prayers for those who have served and are serving. He offered some advice, which should be adhered to by all not just on the designated holiday, but on all days.

“Please, when you meet a veteran, extend your hand and thank them for their service.”

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