Honor Veterans on Wednesday, November 11th

Veterans Day is one moment in the year when we have the opportunity to honor and express our gratitude with a sacred sense of enduring respect, the sacrifices made by millions who have served our country in times of armed conflict and in times of peace to ensure our enduring freedom and way of life.  

What we see and hear today of our wounded warriors is tragically sad. But imagine those soldiers and their families who deal with such sacrifices every day of their lives!   It is personal for every one of them.  It was personal for my parents when their three sons all served during the Korean War.  They and our young sister waited, hoped, prayed and lived in the ever-present fear for our safety. My 21-year old wife travelled across the country carrying our first baby so we could be together on weekends in a one-room flat with a Murphy Bed. Sacrifice?  I always felt that the family sacrifices of those on the home front were so much greater than ours for  they could only imagine what was going on. I will never forget the face of the mother of one of my fellow recruits when I visited her after her son was killed in action. It was tragedy was beyond comprehension.  May God protect our men and women serving our country.  Thank a veteran for the ‘slice of life’ he or she gave up for our country.

Veterans Day Concert

The Southington H.S. Music Department proudly invites the community to its annual Veterans Day Concert Tuesday, November 10th at 7pm at the SHS auditorium. Tickets available for a $5.00 donation with all money going to the Fisher House Foundation which builds and maintains long term residential facilities near military hospitals nationwide for the families of seriously injured soldiers who need a place to stay during the long process of rehabilitation. Fundraising continues for the construction of a Fisher House on the campus of the VA Healthcare System in West Haven, Connecticut. The foundation is poised to break ground sometime this year. 

YMCA Hosts Luncheon for Vets and family members 

The Southington Community YMCA supports military personnel and their families in November, Military Family Month, and year-round through programs and initiatives that improve their well-being. On November 11^th, the YMCA will host a Free Veterans Day Luncheon from 12 to 1 pm for all Veterans and their family members in the 2^nd floor all-purpose room at the YMCA. ‘Y’ membership is not required to attend. Contact Samantha McCarthy by November 6^th at 860-628-5597 Ext 350 or at smccarthy@sccymca.org to reserve your place. In honor of Veterans Day, the Y is offering all active military personnel and veterans a complimentary opportunity to enjoy the facilities of the YMCA for the week of Nov. 9-15.

Gifts for Residents of Veterans Home

On Saturday, November 7^th, members of the American Legion Kiltonic Post 72 will be at the Southington Walmart store on Queen Street from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm accepting gifts or cash donations to make this Christmas and holiday season a little brighter. Legion members will have lists of suggested items veterans need. Checks will also be gratefully accepted.  All proceeds go to the residents of the Connecticut Veterans Home in Rocky Hill, CT. Local organizations and businesses may send check donations to American Legion Post 72, PO Box 217, Southington, CT 06489, marking the check note for Rocky Hill Veteran’s Fund..