There are many ways to honor veterans this weekend
Beyond Words
By Deborah Rose
More than likely, each one of us has a family member who is a veteran, or knows someone who is.
And while many of us regularly thank those who have served our country in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable, we have approached a time of year to that we honor our veterans with a federal holiday, Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
Tomorrow’s (Saturday’s) holiday recognizes the armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, that was declared between the Allied nations and Germany on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, ending World War I.
It’s hard not to think of the men and women who have served our country at this time of year – and we honor them.
The Field of Valor, a display of up to 300 full size American flags on the New Milford Historical Society property near the top of the Green, makes an impactful statement, honoring veterans and active-duty service men and women.
An added touch are the special banners with the names and photographs of those who have served hang on the lampposts that dot downtown New Milford. Although the majority of these banners recognize those we remember, they are a visual reminder of how many of our loved ones have served in our Armed Forces.
(Thank you to the Kiwanis Club Foundation of Greater Danbury, Inc. for the Field of Valor and the Roger Sherman Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution for the banners.)
There’s also the annual Veterans Day ceremony held on Veterans Day – tomorrow – at 11 a.m. on south end of the Village Green.
The ceremony will include reflections by several guest speakers, and the placing of numerous wreaths at the veterans’ memorial.
Veterans and attendees are asked to gather around 10:45 a.m.
It’s a poignant time to unite hearts with others who give thanks and honor all those who have served this country.
In addition, two special meal opportunities will be offered to veterans and others tomorrow.
A veterans’ breakfast, presented by the Roger Sherman Chapter, DAR, will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Andrew B. Mygatt VFW Hall at 11 Avery Road.
The breakfast is free for veterans and active-duty personnel and their spouses, and children under 10.
Breakfast will cost $5 per person for all others, with proceeds to benefit Wreaths Across America.
Then, later in the day, the New Milford United Methodist Church will hold an eat-in or takeout ham dinner from 4 to 7 p.m.
Veterans and children under 10 can eat for free. Dinner will cost $15 for adults and youth ages 12-17 and $10 for children ages 6-11.
Moreover, at this time of year, individuals can honor a veteran, or memorialize a loved one who served in the Armed Forces, through Wreaths Across America.
Wreaths Across America is a program which has a long history of placing wreaths on the headstones of our nation’s fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery and other designated cemeteries across the country.
It was just a few weeks ago the region had a rare opportunity to experience the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit while it was in New Milford.
I was in awe of the 48-foot exhibit that was displayed for two days in Patriot’s Way. It has a 24-person screening room that showcases WAA’s mission, interactive displays, wreath information, and more.
Locally, the Roger Sherman, DAR and Jean Mariano, Gold Star mother of the late US Navy Seal Jason D. Lewis, will place wreaths Dec. 16 at St. Francis Cemetery and Center Cemetery, respectively, as part of the Wreaths Across America program.
To contribute to the program for St. Francis Cemetery, visit https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/171793/Overview/?relatedId=0.
To sponsor a wreath for Center Cemetery, visit https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/15576/overview/?relatedId=0.
To sponsor a wreath in honor of a living veteran, visit https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org and follow the prompts.
