KENT – It was not a traditional celebration for Kent but downpours forced the Memorial Day observance indoors this year.
Park and Recreation Director Matt Busse made the difficult decision Sunday night to cancel the parade based on the rain forecast. Instead, the abbreviated ceremony was moved inside the Kent Community House. Busse made the correct call because at 9:30 a.m., when the parade would have stepping off, the rain was coming down heavily.
Opening with a prayer from the Rev. Steve Klots, the chaplain at South Kent School, the ceremony began with Elizabeth Austin, an eighth grader at Kent Center School, reading the Gettysburg Address.
Brent Kallstrom of the American Legion Hall-Jennings Post No. 153 called the commands to the veterans and he also led the singing of the national anthem.
First Selectman Martin Lindenmayer, a Navy veteran himself, addressed the audience of about 50 people inside the Community House. He reminded those attending of the importance of Memorial Day.
“This ceremony honors those who died in service to our country,” he said. “Peace is not the absence of war. It is preparation for war that ensures our peace.”
He thanked Busse, all the parents who attended with their Scouts, all those who attended in memory of someone who died in war or knew someone who served the country.
Lindenmayer also thanked his fellow veterans and Kallstrom for their participation.
“This is Memorial Day for those who died in service. They did die in uniform to defend America and your right to be here today,” Lindenmayer said. “After this, there will be a celebration and that is all part of living and dying, especially honoring those veterans, those service men and women who gave their lives for this country. Please don’t forget what is said here today because it is what Memorial Day is all about.”
He then read the names of those from Kent who died in the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War.
Father Klots gave a closing prayer.
Lindenmayer thanked those who participated in the ceremony and helped organize it. He expressed appreciation for the two eighth grade students who played the trumpet, Austin and Mason Basile, and their band teacher, David Poirier. He noted that “Taps” is an integral part of every veterans’ ceremony for those who’ve died.
“The echoing of ‘Taps’ is echoing of their life, their service and their devotion,” Lindenmayer said.
The ceremony ended and those attending spent a few minutes greeting each other.
