Grateful on Memorial Day

Veteran's Corner

Patriotism — Webster defines patriots as those who love and support their country. It’s that and so much more. Patriots, many who have served this nation in our military, continue to defend our freedoms and our Constitution as our forefathers intended.

Unarmed they fight against injustice, tyranny, corruption, political weaponization and collusion with foreign enemies for personal gain. They get their daily news through experience having learned to shun most mainstream and social media. Their home to go secret weapon readily employed (their remote control). They listen to differences ofopinion if possible rather than becoming outraged and indignant, take responsibility for their actions and admit mistakes.

You may see them paying for the morning Joe or restaurant meals for first responders, attending fundraising meal functions and ordering a couple to go for homebound friends. They are our defenders of freedom and our Constitution continuously under assault by those trying to destroy this nation from within supported by our enemies. What do all patriots have in common? Not only do they love and support their country but they possess a great deal of common sense so seriously lacking these days. I am blessed to be surrounded by homes proudly flying the American flag.

When you pass a flag waving be assured therein lives a patriot and they don’t tolerate nonsense.

At the Irondale cemetery you may see individuals trimming grass, securing and cleaning stones or just saying a solemn prayer — a patriot, as well as those Legionnaires and VFW members replacing flags on veteran holidays. For them freedom, honor, pride and duty is a fight against socialism and tyranny. It seem funny that those championing socialism would not have their jobs or business unless directed and controlled by a socialist state. We have just honored our nation’s veteran dead on Memorial Day. On 6 June 1944 (D-DAY) 134 of Millerton’s young men went to war to save our allies later to be honored in November. “Lest we forget those so many dreams buried forever and those still amongst us — thank you from a grateful nation.” God bless you patriotic readers and your families.

Have a wonderful summer.

Town of North East resident Larry Conklin is a Vietnam veteran and a member of both the Millerton American Legion Post 178 and the VFW Post 6851. in North Canaan, Connecticut.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Millerton News and The News does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

Fallen trees injure man, destroy fences at dog shelter

Two uprooted locust trees still lie in the yard in front of Animal Farm Foundation’s original kennels where they fell on a fence during a storm on Thursday, June 19.

Nathan Miller

AMENIA — Fallen trees, uprooted and splintered during a thunderstorm, injured a man, destroyed fences and damaged a dog kennel at the Animal Farm Foundation facilities in Bangall.

Isaias Nunez was cleaning along a road on the property with Marco Ortiz, another employee of the dog shelter, when the storm rolled in on the afternoon of Thursday, June 19.

Keep ReadingShow less
Siglio Press: Uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature

Uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature.

Richard Kraft

Siglio Press is a small, independent publishing house based in Egremont, Massachusetts, known for producing “uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature.” Founded and run by editor and publisher Lisa Pearson, Siglio has, since 2008, designed books that challenge conventions of both form and content.

A visit to Pearson’s airy studio suggests uncommon work, to be sure. Each of four very large tables were covered with what looked to be thousands of miniature squares of inkjet-printed, kaleidoscopically colored pieces of paper. Another table was covered with dozens of book/illustration-size, abstracted images of deer, made up of colored dots. For the enchanted and the mystified, Pearson kindly explained that these pieces were to be collaged together as artworks by the artist Richard Kraft (a frequent contributor to the Siglio Press and Pearson’s husband). The works would be accompanied by writings by two poets, Elizabeth Zuba and Monica Torre, in an as-yet-to-be-named book, inspired by a found copy of a worn French children’s book from the 1930s called “Robin de Bois” (Robin Hood).

Keep ReadingShow less
Cycling season: A roundup of our region’s rentals and where to ride them

Cyclists head south on the rail trail from Copake Falls.

Alec Linden

After a shaky start, summer has well and truly descended upon the Litchfield, Berkshire and Taconic hills, and there is no better way to get out and enjoy long-awaited good weather than on two wheels. Below, find a brief guide for those who feel the pull of the rail trail, but have yet to purchase their own ten-speed. Temporary rides are available in the tri-corner region, and their purveyors are eager to get residents of all ages, abilities and inclinations out into the open road (or bike path).

For those lucky enough to already possess their own bike, perhaps the routes described will inspire a new way to spend a Sunday afternoon. For more, visit millertonnews.com/tag/bike-route to check out two ride-guides from local cyclists that will appeal to enthusiasts of many levels looking for a varied trip through the region’s stunning summer scenery.

Keep ReadingShow less