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.�

Latest News

Robin Lee Roy

FALLS VILLAGE — Robin Lee Roy, 62, of Zephyrhills, Florida, passed away Jan. 14, 2026.

She was a longtime CNA, serving others with compassion for more than 20 years before retiring from Heartland in Florida.

Keep ReadingShow less
Marjorie A. Vreeland

SALISBURY — Marjorie A. Vreeland, 98, passed away peacefully at Noble Horizons, on Jan. 10, 2026.She was surrounded by her two loving children, Richard and Nancy.She was born in Bronxville, New York,on Aug. 9, 1927, to Alice (Meyer) and Joseph Casey, both of whom were deceased by the time she was 14. She attended public schools in the area and graduated from Eastchester High School in Tuckahoe and, in 1946 she graduated from The Wood School of Business in New York City.

At 19 years old, she married Everett W. Vreeland of White Plains, New York and for a few years they lived in Ithaca, New York, where Everett was studying to become a veterinarian at Cornell. After a short stint in Coos Bay, Oregon (Mike couldn’t stand the cloudy, rainy weather!) they moved back east to Middletown, Connecticut for three years where Dr. Vreeland worked for Dr. Pieper’s veterinary practice.In Aug. of 1955, Dr. and Mrs. Vreeland moved to North Kent, Connecticut with their children and started Dr. Vreeland’s Veterinary practice. In Sept. of 1968 Marjorie, or “Mike” as she wished to be called, took a “part-time job” at the South Kent School.She retired from South Kent 23 years later on Sept. 1, 1991.Aside from office help and bookkeeping she was secretary to the Headmaster and also taught Public Speaking and Typing.In other times she worked as an assistant to the Town Clerk in Kent, an office worker and receptionist at Ewald Instruments Corp. and as a volunteer at the Kent Library.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rafael A. Porro

SALISBURY -— Rafael A. Porro, 88, of 4 Undermountain Road, passed away Jan. 6, 2026, at Sharon Hospital. Rafael was born on April 19, 1937 in Camaguey, Cuba the son of Jose Rafael Porro and Clemencia Molina de Porro. He graduated from the Englewood School for Boys in Englewood, New Jersey and attended Columbia University School of General Studies. Rafael retired as a law library clerk from the law firm of Curtis, Mallet Prevost in 2002 and came to live in Salisbury to be nearer to his sister, Chany Wells.

Rafael is survived by his sister, Chany Wells, his nephew Conrad Wells (Gillian), and by numerous cousins in North Carolina, Florida, Wyoming, Arizona, Cuba and Canada. He was the eldest of the cousins and acknowledged family historian. He will be greatly missed.

Keep ReadingShow less
Roger D. Ovitt

TORRINGTON — Roger D. Ovitt, 91, of 35 Berry St. Torrington, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family.He was the husband of Barbara (Webb) Ovitt of Torrington.Roger was born June 28, 1934 in Amenia, New York, son of the late Ronald and Edna Lucy (King) Ovitt.

Roger had worked for 36 years as a crusher operator for the former Pfizer Corporation in Canaan. After retiring from Pfizer in 1992, Roger joined his brother, Brian, and began a new career as a house painter. Roger enjoyed this venture with his brother.He was an avid fisherman.Roger also loved to garden.He took great pride in the flowers and vegetables that he raised.

Keep ReadingShow less