Cheshire Turns Out To Honor Veterans
November 12, 2009 by Josh Morgan
Veterans from World War II up to the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were honored yesterday morning on the green as part of Veterans Day ceremonies.
Each Nov. 11, veterans across the country have been honored for service to their country. Originally referred to as Armistice Day to signify the anniversary of the end of World War I, it was renamed Veterans Day in 1954. The date of Veterans Day moved around in the 1970’s, but it was permanently moved back to Nov. 11 in 1978.
Parades and ceremonies take place each year around the country, and Cheshire is no different.
Town Hall was closed and students had the day off from school, but the day was truly about those who have served their country in military service. The colors of the American flag flew brightly in the brisk sunny skies as veterans both young and old stood together.
“It is very important for Americans to honor those who wore the uniform for their country,” said Ernie DiPietro.
More than a hundred people stood on the green and participated in Wednesday morning’s ceremonies. The Dodd Middle School chorus sang “Amazing Grace” and “America the Beautiful.” Multiple color guards, from the American Legion and Army Air Force Roundtable, presented the nation’s colors. A recent Eagle Scout led the group with the Pledge of Allegiance, and speakers shared what Veterans Day was all about.
In the crowd was Rene Gagnon, who served in the Navy for 24 years. Before the Veterans Day ceremonies were about to begin, Gagnon said more should be done on this day.
“This is a day we set aside to honor all veterans,” Gagnon said. “I would like it to be more (celebrated), though.”
Over the weekend, Civil War re-enactors held an encampment at Bartlem park. With them was an antique Gatling gun, and each were dressed in authentic Civil War attire.
“It was pretty rare to see. People came by and stopped to check it out,” said Ron Gagliardi, who helped organize Cheshire’s Salute to Veterans. “There is a lot of stuff going on this month.”
Also, on display at the Cheshire Historical Society, are artifacts from various conflicts. At the library, movies are being shown about soldiers returning home from war.
Last year, more than 70 new names were added to the Veterans Memorial Plaza Wall outside of Town Hall. And recently, a bench engraved with the conflicts Americans have fought in was added to the Plaza.
DiPietro asked veterans of World War II, up until the most recent conflicts, to raise their hands.
As they did, applause broke out on the green. Army veteran Franklin Lombardo looked over the sea of people on the green, many of whom were high school students or younger. He thought for a moment and said it was good to see so many younger faces taking part in Veterans Day to honor the generations who came before them.
“It shows that people care and appreciate us for what we did,” Lombardo said. “It’s good to see the children here.”