Gratitude to war veterans expressed in Kent

KENT — It was a long time coming, 63 years to be exact. That’s how long ago the town of Kent formed its first committee to try and erect a veterans memorial.

It took decades, but they did it. And on Veterans Day,  Nov. 11, the town dedicated its new Veterans Memorial, located in front of the town-owned Swift House on Route 341.

It was a very emotional ceremony, with more than 200 residents present at the unveiling.

The three stone monuments are dedicated to veterans from Kent of World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

The World War II monument lists the names of 204 veterans; the Korean War monument has 49 names and the Vietnam monument has 71 names.

Placed in front of the memorial are two benches. There is also a smaller monument, honoring all military veterans, past and present.

Before the ceremony, Sergent First Class Brent Kallstrom of the Connecticut Army National Guard searched for the names of members of his family on the World War II and Vietnam monuments.

“It’s about time this memorial happened,� Kallstrom said. “Many members of my family are on these stones. I am proud that I served as well.�

Fran Johnson, chairman of the Veterans Memorial committee, watched the ceremony from the porch of the Swift House.

“I’m so glad it’s finally done,� Johnson said. “It has been a very long time coming and I’m very pleased.�

The ceremony began with the raising of the flags of the United States and the state of Connecticut and a flag in honor of prisoners of war  and the missing in action. They were unfurled by World War II veteran Robert Bauer, Korean War veteran Noble Richards and Vietnam War veteran Joseph MacRitchie.

The dedication was given by the Rev. Thomas Berberich, who served two tours of duty in Vietnam as an Army chaplain.

“We dedicate this memorial to the honor and to the memory of those whose names are inscribed here,â€� Berberich said. “We dedicate this memorial to those who willingly, faithfully and proudly answered our nation’s  call to serve. We dedicate this memorial for those who gave of themselves so justice, freedom and liberty might survive to be the ideals of the people of the world.â€�

After a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps by the Sixpence Piping Band, First Selectman Ruth Epstein spoke to the audience.

She acknowledged the hard work of the memorial committee, which consists of chairman Johnson, secretary Charlotte Lindsey, Rev. Berberich, and volunteers Andrew Ocif, John Osborne and Jerry White, and thanked them for making the memorial possible.

“Just because there was no visible monument before dedicated to veterans does not mean that they were not remembered in our hearts,� Epstein said. “We always remembered their courage, dedication and their devotion to country. Now we are able to immortalize for future generations the names we hold so dear.�

State Rep. Mary Ann Carson (R-108) spoke next and thanked the veterans who were present at the ceremony for their service.

“While giving of one’s life is, as Abraham Lincoln said, the last full measure of devotion, those who came home from the wars also deserve not just grateful thanks, but also the salute of their country,� Carson said. “Today, we not only remember those who died, but also those who lived. We remember those who did come home to make outstanding contributions to our community. All have sacrificed something so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today.�

State Sen. Andrew Roraback (R-30) was up next and spoke about the gratitude the town’s veterans deserved.

“They say that people take for granted the very things that deserve our gratitude,� Roraback said. “What makes Kent a special place is that you are not taking for granted those who deserve our gratitude. This monument will forever stand not only as a testament to those whose names appear on it, but also to those in the community who saw why it was important to finish this project 63 years after it was first conceptualized.�

The final speaker for the event was Daniel Thurston, assistant commander for the state’s American Legion. He thanked the community for constructing the memorial.

“It is the members of the community who have taken their time and their effort to honor our veterans,� Thurston said. “To see that the veterans of our nation are properly honored and cared for, you have all given of yourselves. For that, I thank you.�