Millerton salutes its heroes with COVID-safe Veterans Day ceremony

Millerton salutes its heroes with COVID-safe Veterans Day ceremony
Millerton American Legion Post 178 Historian Sean Klay led local veterans and area residents in honoring the service of those who served this country at the Veterans Day ceremony held at Veterans Park.
Photo by Kaitlin Lyle

MILLERTON — Even with this year’s COVID-19 restrictions, local residents found a way to safely honor those who fought to protect their country at the Veterans Day ceremony held on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

Conducted by the American Legion Post 178, this year’s Veterans Day ceremony was held at Veterans Park. Flags were mounted into the ground, and many attending veterans were seen dressed for the occasion. Lifelong residents and young families alike gathered at the park to pay tribute to their local veterans, all while keeping a safe distance and wearing masks.

From the American Revolution to the War on Terror, American Legion Post 178 Historian Sean Klay acknowledged in his opening remarks that “each generation of Americans has answered the call to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States.” In honor of their service, he remarked that two days out of the year are set aside to honor those who served: Memorial Day and Veterans Day. While Memorial Day “pay[s] tribute to those who have fallen on the field of battle,” Klay said Veterans Day honors “those who have returned from our nation’s conflicts and have the honor of having the title of veteran.”

American Legion Post Chaplain Julien Strauss then gave the morning invocation.

Tracing the day’s roots back to the First World War, Klay informed observers that it was a century ago — Nov. 11, 1918 — that the guns fell silent on the Western Front. From 1919 to 1953, he said this day was known as Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I, until President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially change the holiday’s name to Veterans Day in 1954. As he continued to delve into the history of veterans, Klay relayed a stream of statistics — from the number of veterans who served in the Vietnam War to the average age of soldiers killed in action — to inform those present of the sacrifices made for this country.

Klay said he found that the large majority of Post 178 members were from the Vietnam War era, with 82 members serving in that war. Additionally, he reported that three Millerton Legion members served in World War II while 14 members served in the Korean Conflict. In recognition of the Post 178 members’ service to their country, Klay read aloud from a roster of those who served during Vietnam. As a musical tribute to their service, “God Bless America” came streaming out of the speakers, eliciting veterans and residents to place their hands over their hearts or raise their hands in salute. Once the song reached its final note, Klay asked for a moment of silence in honor of those who did not return from battle.

The resounding crack of guns firing broke the silence that fell over the park as a trio of Post members launched a three gun salute and the mournful melody of taps played.

On behalf of Post 178, Klay thanked everyone for attending this year’s Veterans Day ceremony. Due to COVID-19, the annual community lunch following the park ceremony was canceled this year.

Latest News

A scenic 32-mile loop through Litchfield County

Whenever I need to get a quick but scenic bicycle ride but don’t have time to organize a group ride that involves driving to a meeting point, I just turn right out of my driveway. That begins a 32-mile loop through some of the prettiest scenery in northern Litchfield County.

I ride south on Undermountain Road (Route 41 South) into Salisbury and turn right on Main Street (Route 44 West). If I’m meeting friends, we gather at the parking area on the west side of Salisbury Town Hall where parking is never a problem.

Keep ReadingShow less
Biking Ancramdale to Copake

This is a lovely ride that loops from Ancramdale north to Copake and back. At just over 23 miles and about 1,300 feet of elevation gain, it’s a perfect route for intermediate recreational riders and takes about two hours to complete.It’s entirely on quiet roads with little traffic, winding through rolling hills, open countryside, picturesque farms and several lakes.

Along the way, you’ll pass a couple of farmstands that are worth a quick visit. There is only one hill that might be described as steep, but it is quite short — probably less than a quarter-mile.

Keep ReadingShow less
North East town records brought into the digital age

Chris Virtuoso reorganized parcel records in the North East Town Hall basement by parcel number during the process of scanning and digitizing the documents.

Photo by Grace DeMarco

MILLERTON — Within the walls of the two-story Victorian housing the North East Town Hall lies a room-full of town records dating back to the late 19th century. Stored in labeled cardboard boxes and protected by dehumidifiers, the records are in the process of being dated, organized, and scanned into categorized online programs.

As the Town Hall works to relocate to 5603 Route 22 at the former Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, the consolidation and digitalization of records, as well as the disposal of those unneeded, is a time-sensitive project. Marcy Wheatley, the Deputy Town Clerk, emphasized their current heavy focus on organizing and scanning. “Now, when we move, we can get rid of a lot,” Wheatley stated.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millbrook Fire Department Carnival returns

The Thorne Building on Franklin Avenue in the village of Millbrook.

Archive photo

MILLBROOK — Summer fun is just around the corner, thanks to the fire department and the return of the Fire Department Carnival scheduled to open on Wednesday, July 9, and continue through Saturday, July 12, on the Thorne Building grounds on Franklin Avenue.

Opening night activities will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9. The Carnival will open each night at 7 p.m., remaining open until 11 p.m.

Keep ReadingShow less