Veterans to be honored in ceremony

Written by Ken Borsuk, Staff Reporter
Thursday, 05 November 2009 00:00

As it has for decades, Greenwich residents will once again gather at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 to pay tribute to the men and women who have served this country in the armed forces.

The annual ceremony, which like other nationwide events will take place on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, will once again take place outside the war memorial next to the Greenwich Avenue Post Office. Town resident Christopher Hughes is again serving as the master of ceremonies and has also been the major force behind the scenes organizing everything.

A retired corporal in the Marine Corps, Mr. Hughes served in the first Gulf War and has been stationed all over the globe, in places as far reaching as Iraq, Panama, Honduras, Kuwait and Turkey. This is his 17th year heading the ceremony and he was an eager volunteer in it before he took the lead in putting it together. He said he wants everyone in attendance to take away with them an appreciation for the mindset of those who have served and those currently serving because of the protection they provide us and for their dedication to America as a whole and not just for themselves as individuals.

Mr. Hughes said one of the best ways to pay tribute to veterans is by recognizing those who have become leaders in the community. He added that people are sometimes surprised to find out who has served in the military and by spotlighting their service and dedication, the community can see how serving has helped shape them into who they are.

“This is not about war mongering,” Mr. Hughes said. “It’s about recognizing people who feel strongly about wanting to do something for their country. Being able to serve in the military and then returning home with those leadership skills and translating that to work in business and the community is a great connecting point for our community. It adds to our community and people should know who our veterans are.”

This year’s speaker will be Rob Simmons, a former United States congressman who is seeking the Republican nomination to run against Sen. Chris Dodd next year. A Vietnam veteran who retired as a colonel from the Army and also spent time working for the CIA, Mr. Simmons told the Post he is proud to be part of the ceremony’s long tradition and to have the chance to honor those who have served and those serving now. While to him Memorial Day is about remembering those who are no longer with us, Veterans Day is also about recognizing their service.

“It’s a great time to reflect on their service and what it’s meant for the country,” Mr. Simmons said.

Mr. Simmons said he has mixed emotions when thinking about his own service but he is happy to honor those serving today and discussing how the volunteers in the Armed Services are well-trained and well-educated for the challenges the country faces.

“They are the best of the best,” Mr. Simmons said.

One change from this year is that the wreath, which is annually set down at the memorial, will be handled by members of the Boys and Girls Club Honor Guard. The ceremony will also have participation from the Boy Scouts and from the Greenwich Police Department’s Police Explorers. Mr. Hughes said that it’s vital to have children involved because of the impact it can have on them, citing his experience as a 10-year-old playing Taps for the American Legion.

“From that point on I knew I would play whenever they needed me to play for them and from age 10 until 19 I did before I joined up myself,” Mr. Hughes said.

Bob DeAngelo, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club, told the Post that the kids are honored to have the chance to participate in the ceremony because they view it as a chance to stand up for those who have stood up for them by serving in the military.

“Patriotism is a part of the overall equation here,” Mr. DeAngelo said, crediting Greenwich Police Lt. Richard Cochran for working with the honor guard and training them. “We want to instill great character and a moral compass in children and I’m old fashioned this way, I think patriotism is a very important part of that.”

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