Local veterans groups in Easton, Monroe and Fairfield will conduct ceremonies on Nov. 11 to honor those who served in the United States Armed Forces.
Sippin-Winspur American Legion Post 176 of Monroe and Charles L. Ruman Post 160 of Easton will hold Veterans Day services on the Stepney Green in Monroe on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. Post 176 is led by Commander Vic Yanosy, and Post 160 is led by Commander Donald Rodgerson. The two commanders will officiate at the ceremony. The community is invited to attend.
Community leaders from Monroe and Easton, along with decorated veterans and members of the Women’s Auxiliary, will participate in the event. Bishop Rodrigues from Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chapel will provide the opening prayer and the Rev. Kevin Merritt of Stepney Baptist Church will offer the benediction.
The Save Our Stepney Task Force places 13 American flags on the Monroe green to commemorate Flags Over Stepney. The American flags are flown for each of the nation’s six patriotic events: Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, September 11 and Veterans Day. In addition to the American flags, a flag is flown for each branch of the United States armed services.
In Easton about 15 military veterans and active members will be at Helen Keller Middle School on Nov. 12 from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. to talk with the students about their service.
The Kiwanis Club of Fairfield will honor of veterans and those who are actively serving the nation with a Field of Valor Display at Jennings Park. The dedication ceremony for the Field of Valor will take place on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. The display will be up for two weeks and will be taken down on Nov. 17.
Paul Giacalone, president of the Fairfield Kiwanis Club, started the event eight years ago, and it has grown and flourished over the years.
“It started off an idea that I saw from California,” said Giacalone. “When I saw it, I just thought that Fairfield should have something like this for their community.”
The Field of Valor will include more than 400 full-size American Flags with yellow cards attached to each flag. The cards have the name of the honoree or sponsor that will be proudly displayed.
“When we started eight years ago, we had under 100 flags sponsored,” said Giacalone. “Now we expect to have over 400. We have gotten such a warm reception from people who live in this community, and the reaction to the event has been great.”
To sponsor a flag, you can visit fairfieldkiwanis.org to donate. The cost of the flag is $25 and proceeds support the efforts of Home For The Brave in Bridgeport, which provides services to unhoused veterans.
“Our goal is to continue having people sponsor each year, as well as continue to display flags for future years,” said Giacalone.
