Honoring sacrifices

Both the rain and a recent upsurge in postive COVID-19 cases kept Memorial Day festivities at a minimum — and yet there was still plenty of activity.

In addition to the traditional salute to seamen, with a wreath set afloat on the Housatonic River in West Cornwall by Skip Lush, there was also a parade through the town’s many villages by three town trucks and the ambulance. 

On the Green, First Selectman Gordon Ridgway honored four women “who are key to keeping our town safe”: Diane Beebe, Heather Dineen, Jenn Markow and Joyce Hart.

Then Beebe, who is the town’s Emergency Management director, was called back up to the podium and named Citizen of the Year by the town’s VFW post. 

Dave Cadwell read short remembrances of the seven veterans who have died in the past year. 

He and others marveled that a couple dozen people turned out to take part in the ceremony, even though there was no parade and no carnival this year, and notices of the day’s events had suggested that everyone stay home.  

A wreath was set afloat on the Housatonic River at the historic Covered Bridge in West Cornwall by Skip Lush, in honor of Navy veterans who died in service to their nation. Photo by lazlo gyorsok

Photo by Cynthia Hochswender

A wreath was set afloat on the Housatonic River at the historic Covered Bridge in West Cornwall by Skip Lush, in honor of Navy veterans who died in service to their nation. Photo by lazlo gyorsok