By Anne White
Greenwich began its Veterans Day commemorations with the inaugural “Flags for Veterans” ceremony, held on Wednesday, November 8, 2024, in front of Town Hall. The event, organized by the Greenwich Rotary Club, honored local veterans and raised funds for the American Legion Post 29. Community members were invited to sponsor flags in memory or honor of veterans, with each $75 sponsorship providing a commemorative medallion. All proceeds from the event were donated to support local veterans through Post 29.
“This project was close to my heart because honoring and supporting our heroes is incredibly important,” said Rotary Club President Agathe Likoba. “We are honored to launch the Flags for Veterans initiative as a way to pay tribute to those who have served our nation.” Likoba expressed gratitude for the community’s support and for First Selectman Fred Camillo, who embraced the project from the start. “When we presented this project to the First Selectman, he absolutely loved the idea and has been very supportive, standing alongside us to make this vision a reality,” she added. “This partnership truly reflects what Greenwich is about—a place where we come together to do meaningful things, honor our shared values, and celebrate our patriotism.”
Camillo, who attended the ceremony, underscored the importance of establishing new traditions to honor veterans. “Greenwich is a town of traditions, and this is going to be a new tradition,” he said, referring to the Flags for Veterans project. Special honors were given to Rotary members and veterans Joe Benoit, Len Szczesny, and Todd Kennedy, each recognized for their distinguished service. Commander Peter LeBeau of American Legion Post 29 accepted a check representing the funds raised, a powerful symbol of the town’s ongoing commitment to supporting veterans. The event was made possible through extensive collaboration within the Rotary Club, with key contributions from members such as Jay Feinsod, Shashi Dayal, Jim Boardman, Sally Parris Bruno, Angela Hyland, Len Szczesny, Geoffrey Parkinson, and Bruno Costa. “Our Flags for Veterans initiative is just one example of what we can accomplish together,” said Likoba, expressing gratitude for the dedication of the Rotary’s leadership team.
Greenwich’s Veterans Day tributes continued on Monday, Nov. 11, with a parade down Greenwich Avenue. Veterans, first responders, local officials, and community members walked together, led by American Legion Post 29, to honor those who have served. The parade concluded at the World War I monument, where former U.S. Navy Lt. William Fowler laid a ceremonial wreath in a poignant moment witnessed by hundreds.
Chief of Police Jim Heavey, a veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm, reflected on the town’s enduring dedication to honoring veterans. “I am very proud of my hometown, which continues the tradition of recognizing veterans and Veterans Day, both in a public ceremony and the walk down Greenwich Avenue,” Heavey said. “Then the Greenwich Public Schools have events, recognizing that veterans live among us here in town.” Heavey’s words captured the spirit of Greenwich, a town that acknowledges the sacrifices of veterans not only through annual ceremonies but also in daily life.
Gathering at Veterans Plaza Park, the crowd listened as First Selectman Fred Camillo spoke about Greenwich’s deep respect for its veterans. “My dream would be to have every day be Veterans Day in Greenwich,” Camillo said. “Whenever someone walks our streets or drives our roads, they should be reminded of those who served.” Camillo also shared exciting plans for Veterans Plaza, which will soon feature a statue of former President George H.W. Bush, a Navy veteran and Greenwich native. “In this space, we’ll have a place of honor to remind future generations of the courage and commitment of those who stood for our freedom,” Camillo explained, underscoring Greenwich’s commitment to preserving the legacy of its veterans.
**Keynote Address and Reflections on Service**
The keynote address was delivered by Lucian Niemeyer, an Air Force veteran with over 21 years of service and extensive experience in national security roles in the Pentagon, White House, and Congress. Niemeyer’s speech emphasized the value of military service in safeguarding American freedoms. “Freedom is not free,” Niemeyer declared. “Have we truly considered the worth and the tragic costs?” His words reminded attendees of the sacrifices made by those in uniform to protect liberties often taken for granted. Niemeyer called on the community to instill a sense of service in future generations, urging young people to consider public and military service as a path of honor.
“We must encourage in our stories and family discussions the value of giving back, of contributing to the defense of our common freedoms,” Niemeyer continued. He expressed hope that future Veterans Day ceremonies would see even more young people in attendance, bridging the generations with shared ideals of service and sacrifice.
State Representative Hector Arzeno, reflecting on the significance of the day, said, “After many wonderful ceremonies honoring our war veterans, we will be back into our daily routines, and life will go on for many of us, with the ebbs and flows we expect. But I think I will add a new activity to that routine, and every once in a while will raise a glass in honoring those great servicemen and women who serve our wonderful nation and should never be forgotten.” Arzeno’s words served as a reminder to incorporate gratitude for veterans into daily life.
The ceremony concluded with symbolic tributes that underscored the reverence of the day. The Greenwich Police Department Honor Guard presented the colors, and Greenwich Police Capt. James Bonney led the crowd with “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes, the solemn notes resonating among those gathered. Ken and Dylan Pond performed “Echo Taps,” followed by a rifle salute, which brought a powerful sense of respect and remembrance to the event.
Commander Peter LeBeau of American Legion Post 29 concluded the ceremony by encouraging all to show appreciation for veterans every day. “Treat our veterans as they richly deserve to be treated, with sincere gratitude and heartfelt respect,” LeBeau said. “And whenever you meet a veteran, simply say, ‘Thank you for your service.’ Believe me, it means a lot to us.”
As the crowd dispersed, the spirit of Veterans Day lingered. For Greenwich, Veterans Day is more than a date on the calendar—it is a living tradition, woven into the fabric of the community. Through ceremonies like “Flags for Veterans,” parades, and the upcoming re-dedication of Veterans Plaza Park, Greenwich renews its commitment to honoring the men and women who have served, ensuring that every day reflects gratitude for their sacrifices.
Following the event, State Representative-elect Tina Courpas shared her pride in Greenwich’s dedication to veterans. “I am proud to live in a town and community that honors its veterans as we do,” Courpas said. “Every day is Veterans Day, because every day that we enjoy our freedom, we remember the people who defended and preserved it.” Her words reflected a sentiment widely felt across the community: honoring veterans goes beyond a single day each year and becomes part of everyday life.
State Representative Steve Meskers shared some his of personal reflections on the day with the Sentinel, “Our veterans represent our finest in their defense of our freedoms. My father served in the merchant marine in the Korean War. The family doctor was a true hero. He was a doctor on the Normandy invasion, and spent seven days shuttling back-and-forth with our wounded soldiers from the shores of Normandy to England, along with German prisoners of war prisoners of war. His name was William Gaston Chorba.”
Senator Ryan Fazio also expressed his gratitude for the veterans who have contributed to the nation’s legacy. “We have a great inheritance as Americans, one that we owe to the brave men and women who secured it for us,” Fazio said, recognizing the continued community involvement of veterans in groups like the American Legion and VFWs. “May we not only always recognize their sacrifice and thank them but also follow their lead,” Fazio urged, calling on the community to “pass along the values of our great nation to the next generation.”
