Veterans Day Parade this Thursday

Posted by Bob on November 9, 2010 under Daily Blogs | Read the First Comment

This Thursday, November 11, 2010, Naugatuck will once again celebrate Veterans Day.  Like the other patriotic holidays that take place throughout the year, the Naugatuck Veterans Council will honor those who have served this great country in military service.

Every May, Naugatuck residents turnout in record numbers on Memorial Day to pay homage to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.  Under the leadership of the late Franklin E. Johnson, Sr., Naugatuck’s Memorial Day Parade grew to one of the largest of its kind in the United States.  Mr. Johnson’s fellow Veterans assisted with this effort and continue the tradition to this day.  Energized by the promise of summer, a long weekend and family picnics, the Borough’s Memorial Day Parade represents an elaborate yet appropriately solemn tribute to the men and women who perished defending our freedoms.

Naugatuck’s Veterans Day celebration also includes a parade, which will begin at 2:00 PM on Church Street.  While much shorter in length than the procession on Memorial Day, the Veterans Day Parade nonetheless is a significant expression of Naugatuck’s respect and honor for those who wear and have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces during times of war and military conflict.  While attendance is relatively small, our Veterans Council takes much pride in the events of the day, culminating in the parade.  The weather is colder, the holiday often falls midweek and not everyone is free from work obligations; but the message of supporting our Veterans remains just as important.

The most striking trait I have noticed when being in the company of Naugatuck’s Veterans is their humility.  Our Veterans ask for nothing, not even thank you, for the numerous individual and collective sacrifices they have made throughout the years.  This is truly an amazing concept, but I would like to respectfully ask the citizens of Naugatuck something on their behalf:  Please, if at all possible, make every effort to attend Naugatuck’s Veterans Day Parade to show your support for these wonderful and selfless human beings.  Yes, the parade will go-on without you; but it will be all the more special if we attend in record numbers and show Naugatuck’s Veterans the support they deserve.

If you are a new Veteran who has not previously been involved in the parade or other service-related activities, please join your fellow Veterans and march with them this Thursday (11/11/2010).  Assembly begins at 1:30 PM, or 13:30 hours, at the Naugatuck Savings Bank parking lot, 87 Church Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770.  One of the main reasons people do not join clubs or organizations is that feeling of awkwardness we all have wondering who will we know or who we will talk to that first time we attend a new activity.  I can assure you that Naugatuck’s Veterans will not only welcome you with open arms, but will be sincerely grateful for the opportunity to see a new generation of Veterans join their efforts.

On Thursday, November 11, 2010, at 2:00 PM, we celebrate the service of those who have sacrificed years of their lives to protect the freedoms and liberties we often take for granted.  Let us show our Veterans, for one (1) hour on Thursday, our appreciation for that sacrifice.

God Bless our Veterans.