As the town celebrates Memorial Day with two parades, ceremonies and more, local veterans hope people take a moment and reflect on the sacrifice so many have made.
In Simsbury many have answered the call. Ray Jennings, master of ceremonies for a post-Simsbury parade at Eno Memorial Hall said they know of 106 residents who have been killed in battle since the Revolutionary War.
Numerous others have passed on. Last weekend, the American Legion Post 84, VFW Post 1926 and scouts placed flags on 1,385 graves throughout town.
But Memorial Day is also a tribute to living veterans, he said. In Simsbury, the Memorial Day committee knows of nearly 900 living in town. Many have made their own sacrifices and some are dealing with emotional or psychological injuries.
It's one reason, the Simsbury Veterans' Memorial Day Observances Committee works so hard to reach out to get as many veterans as possible to participate on Memorial Day.
In his remarks Monday, Jennings, a commissioned Naval officer from 1959 to 1963, plans to offer a brief history of the day and a thank you to all veterans.
"Without their sacrifices our freedoms would be meaningless," he said. "It's a reminder that freedom isn't free."
Harmon, "Hap" Poole, a World War II Navy Air Force veteran, said he realizes there's a certain amount of joy in the activities but hopes people take the time to go to the ceremonies and remember the meaning.
"We try to have the young people recognize the significance of Memorial Day," Poole said.
Poole added that he feels in recent years more have taken that opportunity.
Here is a preview of the day's events:
Tariffville Parade:
9 a.m. - Begins at Main and Winthrop Streets
The parade will end with a short ceremony at St. Bernard’s Cemetery. State Rep. John K. Hampton will be the guest speaker.
Simsbury Parade:
1:30 p.m. - The parade starts at Owens Brook Boulevard and Hopmeadow Street.
The concluding ceremony will be held at Eno Memorial Hall with guest speaker Department of Veterans’ Affairs Commissioner Linda Schwartz.
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