KENT – The cold temperatures and biting winds didn’t deter a crowd from gathering for the annual Veterans Day ceremony Tuesday morning, Nov. 11.

Standing in front of the memorials honoring local residents who served in the military, First Selectman Martin Lindenmayer, himself a veteran, said the day is “not only a time to remember history, but to recognize the people among us—neighbors, friends and family—who have served with courage, sacrifice and devotion. Whether they stood guard in distant lands or supported their comrades from home, their service has preserved the freedoms we enjoy each day.”

While veterans live by the words duty, honor, country, said Lindenmayer, it doesn’t mean they are warmongers. “The soldier, above all, prays for peace.” He told the veterans the town is proud of them. “We pledge to honor your service not only with words, but with our actions—by building a community and a country worthy of your sacrifice.”

Brent Kallstrom, commander of Hall-Jennings American Legion Post 153, gave a message from the American Legion in which he said Veterans Day can be traced to the armistice that ended World War I.

“For many veterans, our nation was important enough to endure long separations from their families, miss the births of their children, freeze in sub-zero temperatures, bake in wild jungles, lose limbs and far too often, lose their lives,” he said.

He noted that fewer than 10% of Americans can claim the title veteran and less than one half of 1% of the population currently serves.

“Veterans have given us freedom, security and the greatest nation on earth,” said Kallstrom. “It is impossible to put a price on that.”

Local veterans shot three rounds and bagpiper Don Hicks provided music. The Rev. John Heeckt of the Kent Congregational Church gave the invocation and the Rev. Richard Clark of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church gave a concluding prayer.

Members of St. Andrew’s then hosted a luncheon for all veterans and their families.

Photo by Lans Christensen

Veterans Day in Kent, Conn.