GREENWICH — Because the Cos Cob VFW Put up 10112 gathered Saturday morning for a solemn salute at its annual Memorial Day ceremony, its chief in contrast the demise within the line of responsibility of an armed forces member to a stone tossed right into a nonetheless pond.
“The ripples attain the speedy shore and proceed past, affecting family members of the fallen heroes for many years and infrequently lifetimes,” VFW put up adjutant Invoice Cameron advised the small crowd gathered on the pocket park on Strickland Highway.
The pocket park is the location of the VFW’s memorial to the service members from Cos Cob, Riverside and North Mianus who gave their lives in service to the nation. And on this vacation weekend, the put up members put their give attention to Individuals who’re within the armed providers.
Cameron referenced “the solemn contract” signed by each man and girl who places on the uniform, the place they acknowledge that they could surrender their life “in order that our beloved nation, our tradition and our lifestyle can prosper and endure.”
He added that when many bear in mind the fallen, they usually take into consideration battles in Europe or Asia or on an island within the Pacific, and place memorials at their grave websites. However what about those that are misplaced at sea or within the air, he requested. Cameron urged the gang to recollect them as properly.
“When a big Navy ship equivalent to an plane provider goes down in wartime, it has usually taken with its sinking over a thousand sailors and Marines and aviators along with her,” Cameron mentioned. “Their solely grave marker is a spot of oil spreading on a stressed sea. However that is the sailors, the Marines and aviators’ contract. … Please bear in mind and pray for all of the sailors, Marines and Naval aviators who made the last word sacrifice. They’re heroes who lie in unmarked graves on the backside of the oceans around the globe.”
Practically 75 folks gathered on the Saturday morning ceremony, together with First Selectman Fred Camillo, Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan, City Clerk Jackie Budkins, Tax Collector Heather Smeriglio, Board of Schooling member Joe Kelly, state Sen. Ryan Fazio, state Rep. Kimberly Fiorello and state Rep. Stephen Meskers. Former state Rep. Livvy Floren was available, too, as was Chief of Police James Heavey, who’s a veteran.
Former city Tax Collector Tod Laudonia, who heads the St. Lawrence Society in Cos Cob, was in attendance and was thanked by VFW put up service officer Anthony Marzullo for donating the sound system in addition to the American, city and POW flags that had been on show.
Saturday’s ceremony was the final for Joe Musich in his function of put up commander as a result of he’s not standing for reelection to the management put up. However he had some sturdy closing phrases for Washington’s politicians.
“It’s our flag up there, the American flag,” Musich mentioned. “Not the Chinese language flag. Not the Russian flag. Not the Iranian flag. Not the Venezuelan flag. I would like our legislators to get their heads out of their butts and bear in mind the place they got here from. It’s the USA, not the remainder of the world.”
Cameron additionally spoke about points past Greenwich, mourning the deaths of 19 college students and two lecturers in a mass taking pictures at Robb Elementary College in Uvalde, Texas, in addition to making a reference to, with out naming the battle, the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“I ask you to hope for a speedy profitable downfall of evil tyrants who dwell solely to develop their land and riches and who mindlessly slaughter the harmless and anybody else who stands of their means,” Cameron mentioned. “The flags right this moment are at half-staff for the harmless kids and lecturers who had been killed in Texas. If we bear in mind the previous, we’re higher armed to take care of the current and the long run.”
kborsuk@greenwichtime.com