Amenia honors its war dead

Amenia honors its war dead
Amenia Town Supervisor Victoria Perotti addressed a Memorial Day gathering at Fountain Square on Monday, May 29, flanked by color and honor guards from VFW Post 5444 and the Amenia Fire Co. 
Photo by John Coston

AMENIA – Amenia remembered and honored its war dead on Monday, May 29, under a sparkling morning sky.

More than 60 residents assembled at the Fountain Square for short speeches, prayers and a laying of the wreath as taps was played.

Nick Woodard, commander of VFW Post 5444 in Amenia as well as a veteran of Germany and Vietnam, opened the ceremony.  “Our presence here is in solid commemoration to all these men and women,” he said, noting the war memorial that bears the names of those who died in war “and is an expression of our tribute  for their devotion to duty for courage, patriotism by their service for the flag of our nation.”

Amenia Town Supervisor Victoria Perotti, who was flanked by honor and color guards from VFW Post 5444 and the Amenia Fire Co., also spoke: “Memorial Day offers a chance to reflect on the countless individuals who served and lost their lives by coming together with the families and communities left behind. It also includes those veterans who end their lives after they’ve returned.

“Memorial Day is in remembrance of soldiers who fell in combat risking their lives for their country. They have fallen but are not forgotten. And have our deepest gratitude for their ultimate sacrifice.”

Following Perotti’s remarks, which received strong applause, Commander Woodard escorted two children, Kaden and Avery Chrapowitzky of Wappingers Falls, to place the wreath alongside the memorial as the VFW Post 5444 and Amenia Fire Co. guards saluted while taps played.

The ceremony ended following a prayer from the Rev. R. Kent Wilson of the Church of Immaculate Conception in Amenia.

Commander Woodard invited everyone back to the post for light refreshments.

Related Articles Around the Web

Latest News

Back to school
Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — The first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Webutuck Elementary School went smoothly, with teachers enthusiastically greeting the eager young students disembarking from buses. Excitement was measurable, with only a few tears from parents, but school began anyway.


Keep ReadingShow less
Amenia back in court over Kent Hollow mine

The main entrance to Kent Hollow Mine at 341 South Amenia Road in Amenia.

Photo by Nathan Miller

AMENIA — Amenia residents and a Wassaic business have filed suit against the Town Board and Kent Hollow Inc., alleging a settlement between the town and the mine amounts to illegal contract zoning that allows the circumvention of environmental review.

Petitioners Laurence Levin, Theodore Schiffman and Clark Hill LLC filed the suit on Aug. 22. Town officials were served with documents for the case last week and took first steps in organizing a response to the suit at the Town Board meeting on Thursday, Sept. 4.

Keep ReadingShow less
Historical Society talk to explore the life and times of a Revolutionary Era loyalist

AMENIA — While the courage and perseverance of Revolutionary era patriots is well understood and celebrated, the stories of the fate of British loyalists in New York are not as clear.

Seen as the initial event in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Amenia Historical Society will present a talk titled, “The Plight of a Loyalist in Revolutionary New York,” examining the journal of Cadwallader Colden, Jr., spanning the period of 1777-1779. The speaker will be noted author, genealogist and historian Jay Campbell.

Keep ReadingShow less
Townscape raffle reaches $7K pot

Erin Rollins of Millbrook in the Fashion Feed booth, open year round, at the Millbrook Antiques Mall. All proceeds from Fashion Feeds go to the Food of Life Pantry. As an interior designer by trade, Rollins designed this booth to evoke a high-end department store to align with the designer brands she carries.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Townscape 50/50 raffle drawing has collected a pot of more than $7,000.

That raffle drawing will take place this Saturday at 2 p.m. in Veteran’s Park. The moment is not just about picking a winner, but also about reflecting on how far Townscape has come since its humble beginnings in 1998, when founder Catherine Fenn — alongside Renee Vollen and Jan Gilmor — first set out to beautify her beloved village.

Keep ReadingShow less