Annual Report 2007-2008(color).pub - Town of South Windsor

Patriotic Commission
Robert C. Moeller
Chairperson
The Patriotic Commission was established to
recognize, accommodate and foster pride and
patriotism among the citizens of South Windsor in
our Nation, our State and our Town; and
demonstrate evidence thereof, through the
development and conduct of programs and
activities.
The Commission conducts five annual programs
each calendar year. The first event of the year is
our annual Picnic-In-The Park, in honor of our
Armed Forces, which is normally the first
Saturday after Mothers’ Day. This year’s Picnic-
In-The Park was held again in Nevers Road Park.
Activities start at approximately 6 PM and include
military exhibitions, displays, and demonstrations
by branches of the Armed Forces in attendance.
The South Windsor Community Band conducts a
concert and plays a wide range of musical
selections. While family picnic baskets are
encouraged, a variety of picnic foods are
available for purchase. The evening concludes
with a wonderful fireworks display. Because
Nevers Park is centrally located, with ample room
for parking, our Picnic-In-The Park will continue
to be held there.
Our Memorial Day parade and ceremony has
become increasingly popular over the past few
years. Our parade increases in size each year,
as does our ceremony at Veterans Memorial
Park. Also, in conjunction with the Memorial Day
activities, the Commission conducts an annual
student essay contest. The contest is open to all
school children in South Windsor, three winners
and three honorable mentions are selected, one
from each school level, elementary, middle, and
high school. Also, every student that entered the
contest is given a certificate by the Commission.
This year’s contest had 61 entries. The Patriotic
Commission also provides and places American
Flags on the gravesites of military veterans
buried in South Windsor cemeteries. This is
usually done just prior to Memorial Day and over
400 flags are placed on gravesites by Boy Scout
Troops of South Windsor.
On Flag Day of each year, the Commission
retires all old, torn, or faded American Flags
which are collected from designated containers at
the Library’s upper lobby. This year’s ceremony
was planned and conducted by Boy Scout Troop
186 of South Windsor at the Fire Department
Headquarters. This year over 600 flags were
collected for retirement. The Commission also
publishes a booklet on flag care and etiquette
which is available at the Town Hall.
For the past eight years, the Town has
participated in the Greater Hartford Veterans Day
parade. This year, the parade was held on
November 4 th , the Sunday prior to Veterans Day
in the city of Hartford. Members of the Patriotic
Commission, together with town officials, the
Police Department Honor Guard, town veterans,
members of the American Legion, and the
Timothy Edwards Middle School marched in the
parade. The Community Center provided busses
for the marchers. On Veterans Day, November
11 th of each year, the Commission conducts a
ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park.
To enhance the beauty and functionality of
Veterans Memorial Park, the Commission
created a permanent brick sculpture, in a patio
type setting, of an eagle with outstretched wings
at the head of a walkway. Resident veterans and
families of veterans purchased bricks, inscribed
with the veteran’s name and military service,
which were placed within the body of the eagle.
Bricks purchased by individuals and families, to
show their patriotism and support, were placed in
the walkway leading up to the eagle. In addition
to the existing Veterans and Vietnam memorials,
are three new monuments dedicated to town
residents who lost their lives while serving their
country in World War I, World War II, and the
Korean War. The area is further enhanced with
the addition of two new flagpoles (with lights) and
two granite benches. Bricks can be purchased at
any time and will be placed in the Terrace prior to
Memorial Day and Veterans Day. The Terrace
was designated as the Town’s Project of the Year
and featured on the cover of the 2002-2003
Annual Report.
The Commission has established a display of
photographs of service men and women, who are
60 | Town of South Windsor: Annual Report 2007/2008