KENT, Conn.—A cold and blustery day, with snowflakes fluttering through the air, did little to discourage Kent residents determined to pay homage to the community’s service men and women Tuesday during Veterans Day observances.
Marty Lindenmayer, a former Naval officer who is concluding his term as first selectman, and Brent Kallstrom, commander of Hall-Jennings American Legion Post 153, led the brief ceremony.
Also present were the Rev. John Heeckt of the Kent First Congregational Church and the Rev. Richard Clark of St. Andrew’s Church, who offered the invocation and benediction.
Lindenmayer said the group was gathered to honor all those who have worn the uniform of this country over more than 250 years. He said their response in serving their country did not make them warmongers, for the “soldier, above all, prays for peace for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.”
But he cited the words of Plato, that “only the dead have seen the end of war.”
“We as veterans already know, and the community must remember, that eternal vigilance is the price to be paid for freedom,” he said.
Addressing the veterans, he said, “We are proud of you and pledge to honor your service not only with words, but with actions by building a community and country worthy of your sacrifice.”
Kallstrom recounted that Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day at the end of World War I, brought a peace that did not survive the “fascist tyrannies” of Hitler and Mussolini. But millions of Europeans enjoy freedom today because of the “legacy of freedom” left behind by veterans who endured the hardship of separation from their families and the miseries of combat.
“For many veterans, our nation was important enough to endure long separations from their families, miss the births of their children, freeze in sub-zero temperatures, bake in wild jungles, lose limbs and far too often, lose their lives,” he said.
He spoke of the burdens carried by spouses of those serving in the military and said that today fewer than 10 percent of Americans can claim the title of veteran. He noted that the country’s current Armed Services are made up of less than one-half of one percent of the total population.
“Their patriotism is a shining example for all Americans, and we are forever grateful,” he concluded.
The day before Kallstrom and Lindenmayer had donned their uniforms and joined the students at Kent Center School to say the Pledge of Allegiance in front of the school. They shook hands with the children and the younger ones presented the veterans hand-drawn badges with yarn necklaces they had made, and personal notes of appreciation. It was “very sweet,” Kallstrom said.
The Veterans Day observances were followed by a luncheon for all veterans and their families at the St. Andrew’s Parish Hall.
