Printer Friendly Version - Winning WIS Essays Define 'What Memorial Day Means to Me'

Branford Veterans Parade Committee chairman Bill O'Brien was behind the lens for this picture of winning essayists and supporters (front, l-r): finalists Alec Aceves Acosta, Jason Hackett, Trinity Hannaway, Daniel Liu, First Place winner Charlie Russo, Second Place winner Rachel Pepe, finalists William Mollow, Michael Russell and Carter Shannon (not available for picture, finalist Ava Mills). At back are (l-r): Janet Ryan, Branford Community Foundation; Peter Anaclerio, WIS Assistant Principal; USMC First Sergeant Paul Hannaway (2016 Branford Memorial Day Parade Marshal and Speaker); Carl Seeley, WIS teacher; Hamlet Hernandez, Branford Superintendent of Schools; Mattie Boyle, WIS teacher; and Veterans' Parade Committee members Frank Kenny and Dennis Flanigan.Photo by Bill O'Brien

Ten winners have been selected among a record number of 400 Branford students from grades 5 – 8 who defined "What Memorial Day Means to Me" with entries submitted to Branford's 2016 Captain Thomas Yester Memorial Day Essay contest. The annual contest is sponsored by the Branford Veterans Parade Committee.

Contest organizer and Veterans' Parade Committee chairman Bill O'Brien said a panel of seven judges representing Branford community organizations selected First Place and Second Place essays and also recognized eight Finalists. The top two student authors have been invited to read their essays at Memorial Day Ceremonies on the Branford green Monday May 30 at 10 a.m.

Walsh Intermediate School (WIS) eighth grader Charlie Russo won First Prize and a $100 Trailblazer gift card, and WIS fifth grader Rachel Pepe won Second Prize and a $75 Trailblazer gift card. WIS student Finalists Alec Aceves Acosta, Jason Hackett, Trinity Hannaway, Daniel Liu, Ava Mills, William Mollow, Michael Russell and Carter Shannon received certificates and gift cards. Contest gift cards were donated by Branford Community Foundation.

In his winning essay, Russo wrote, "Piercing white headstones lined up in perfect rows through Arlington Cemetery. That's what Memorial Day means to me. But each headstone is more than just a headstone. They all stand for something. They stand for courage, they stand for selflessness. And they tell a story. The story of a hero. Every story is unique. And every hero means something to someone. Today is the day we recognize those stories, and salute to the families of those heroes, for sacrificing what they love to make sure we stand where we stand today. That's what Memorial Day means to me."

Pepe's essay reads, "Memorial Day means to honor those who gave their lives serving for our country. People sacrificed their lives for our freedom. From the Revolutionary War and now and forever, people have given their lives for us. Memorial Day means to honor, respect, appreciate, remember and salute the fallen soldiers who weren't famous, who weren't special, but normal people wanting to serve our country. I remember them like they were famous and like they were special. Memorial Day means to honor the fallen soldiers of our country, to give thanks to them, to honor them and finally, to love them. What does Memorial Day mean to you?"