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05/15/2018 12:00 AMOn Memorial Day weekend, North Haven will gain a new memorial on the Town Green. However, it’s not the Post-Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial—that project has been delayed.
“The war memorial is unfortunately not going to be unveiled on Memorial Day,” said Valerie Goodkin, executive assistant to First Selectman Michael Freda. “They have started the work, but it doesn’t look like the plaque is going to be completed in time. We’re going to have a special ceremony for that sometime in June.”
The delayed project is a larger granite monument with bronze plaques, complete with illumination at night. It will be a tribute to residents who served in the military after the Vietnam War, up to and including recent military conflicts.
There will be a new monument of note, however. On Saturday, May 26, the Daytime Gardeners of North Haven and the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut are sponsoring the installment of a Blue Star Memorial Marker on the Town Green. The special program is part of American Legion Post 76’s Memorial Day observances of May 26, which begin at 9 a.m. at the Vietnam War Memorial on the Town Green.
“This is a remembrance program for some of the Post members that have died during the past year,” said Post 76 Commander Charlie Morrissey. “Their names will be read by myself and the Navy bell will be rung to remember each member.”
A chaplain will offer a prayer for those who have died, and then guests will be introduced. First Selectman Michael Freda, State Senator Len Fasano, and State Representative David Yaccarino will be in attendance, along with Daytime Gardeners of North Haven President Sally Brockett and Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut Blue Star Memorial Program State Chair Krista Swanson Fiorini and member Polly Brooks.
Following the placement of a wreath on the Vietnam War Memorial, Post 76 member Steve Wronski will lead the garden club speakers in the Blue Star Marker dedication.
“This is a tribute from the garden club to the veterans who have served not only North Haven but every part of the state,” said Morrissey.
Brockett will unveil the Blue Star Marker, then lead the group in singing “God Bless America.” The program concludes with remarks from the speakers, including Morrissey, and a closing prayer. After “Taps” and a bagpipe rendition of “Amazing Grace,” the group will return to the American Legion Hall across the street.
“It’s all open to the public and we’re encouraging anybody that has an interest in that program before the parade to come down,” Morrissey said.
At 10:30 a.m., the parade begins. Participants will meet at North Haven High School.
“We get a good turnout of town citizens that come out to celebrate and pay their respects to the veterans,” commented Morrissey. “The thing you need to remember is Memorial Day is just that: It’s for the veterans that have passed on and a remembrance to those that are still with us.”
Local groups are invited to participate in the parade; forms are available at the First Selectman’s Office at Town Hall. This year’s groups include a baseball team that’s new to the event and a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier float by the North Haven Police Department, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary.
“We’ve made plans to have various musical groups and local town groups, kids, baseball players, football players, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts,” said Morrissey. “Everybody’s welcome.”
Memorial Day events on Saturday, May 26 begin with the Blue Star Marker dedication program at 9 a.m. on the Town Green. The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. at North Haven High School, 221 Elm Street, and follows Maple Avenue and Church Street to Town Hall, 18 Church Street. Local groups interested in participating in the parade can pick up a form at the first selectman’s office at Town Hall.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the Blue Star Memorial marker was sponsored by the North Haven Garden Club; it is a Daytime Gardeners of North Haven project.