Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Lt. Governor visits with area vets

Lt. Governor visits with area vets

Vietnam War veteran Ray Aakjar of Sharon accepts a citation during a Veterans’ Ceremony hosted by Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and Veterans Affairs Commissioner Ron Welch on June 18. To the left are the three selectmen: Lynn Kearcher, John Brett and Casey Flanagan.

Ruth Epstein

CORNWALL/SHARON — Local veterans were formally recognized last week when Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, along with Veterans Affairs Commissioner Ron Welch, came to honor them.

They were in Cornwall on Monday, June 16, at which most of those who gathered had served during the Vietnam War-era. The pair held another gathering in Sharon on Wednesday, June 18.

Bysiewicz told both groups that when she was secretary of state, she learned that the country was losing 1,500 of the greatest generation (those who served in World War II) every day. Wanting to do something before it was too late, she hosted 140 veterans’ events from 2008 to 2010 and had the opportunity to honor 2,000 individuals.

From that spawned the idea to host such ceremonies for veterans from the Korean and Vietnam eras. Korean vets have been honored in 120 towns and those who served in Vietnam in 115 towns.

There were 36,000 American casualties recorded in Korea and 58,000 in Vietnam.

Bysiewicz talked about the similarities in both those wars; they were never officially declared or formally concluded, and those returning home didn’t get the proper greeting. “Some from Vietnam were never treated well because the war was not wanted and it was taken out on the soldiers,” she said.

She stressed the importance of honoring those still alive, noting 500 Korean vets are being lost every day and 600 who were in Vietnam. But she was proud to remind them that they never stopped serving. They came home to volunteer in their communities, joined veterans’ organizations, raised beautiful families and devoted themselves to civic services.

“We are so grateful that you preserved and protected our freedoms,” Bysiewicz said.

Ron Welch, the commissioner of Veterans Affairs, himself and his son veterans of the Afghanistan War, told the audience that returning to civilian life is never easy and urged them not to hesitate to ask for services. “Take advantage of all that we offer,” he said.

In Cornwall, all the vets were from the Vietnam era, except for Huntington Williams, who proudly stood up when it was announced he had been in the Korean conflict. He came from a military background with his father having served in World War 1. David Cadwell said, “I enjoy hearing, ‘Thank you for your service.’”

Bill Berry said he always was interested in the military. His father died in 1952 in a bomber plane.

Bill Lyon came clutching his Marine hat. After serving, he was in the Reserves for six years. “There’s not a lot of credence given to the Reserves, but we did what everyone else did.” Jonathan Ingersoll VIII said, “I appreciate this small ceremony. It’s nice to be formally welcomed back into society.”

Others from Cornwall are: Richard Kearns, Douglas Pelletier, Jr., Marc “Doc” Simont, Anthony Sterzl and Guy “Max” Ule, Jr.

In Sharon, First Selectman Casey Flanagan gave a message, saying they were there to recognize what all these men had done for the country and the sacrifices made to protect freedoms. He spoke of a recent visit to the town’s War Memorial for inspiration. “There, I felt a powerful connection to the past. I didn’t know them, but I’m deeply aware of the legacy they left behind.”

He continued, “I feel the weight of their sacrifices shaped this country and those who call Sharon home. I can’t feel the pain or the sacrifices you made, but you set an example for me, the town and those who follow. I hope you’re as proud of us as we are of you.”

Bysiewicz went around the room, asking the veterans to comment.

Rick Stone and his brother Howard Stone were in Vietnam at the same time. “The food wasn’t great and the weather was usually warm, but I made good friends,” said Rick Stone. Robert Loucks relayed a harrowing story about a bomb that was found in the bottom of a body of water that had fallen off an aircraft and hade to be detonated.

Richard Kopec said, “I wouldn’t wish it (serving in war) on anybody, but it made me who I am today. I learned what you can do if you put your mind to it.” He is writing a book about his experiences and battle with PTSD. Robert Nickson said, “The experience was invaluable. I wouldn’t change those five years.”

Others from Sharon are: Ray Aakjar, Gordon Braislin, Norman Day, Richard DeAngelis, Bull Moon Rising, Neil Pedersen, John Perotti, Robert Pittenger, Rolf Hohlfeld and Gary Tuthill.

A moment of silence was observed at the Sharon ceremony for Michael John Carley, a local young man who was killed in combat.

Latest News

Motorcycle crash near Route 7 prompts Life Star landing at HVRHS

Motorcycle crash near Route 7 prompts Life Star landing at HVRHS

A Life Star helicopter lands on the front lawn of Housatonic Valley Regional High School on Saturday, May 16, to transport a motorcycle crash victim to a hospital.

Aly Morrissey

LIME ROCK — A motorcycle crash involving a car temporarily shut down a section of Route 112 near the intersection with Route 7 on Saturday afternoon, drawing a large emergency response and prompting a Life Star helicopter landing at Housatonic Valley Regional High School.

Emergency responders at the scene confirmed the incident involved a motorcycle and passenger vehicle. Route 7 was closed from Dugway Road to the intersection of Routes 7 and 112 while crews responded.

Keep ReadingShow less
Van strikes utility pole, closes Route 112 for hours

Traffic was diverted near Wells Hill Road after a crash closed part of Route 112 Friday afternoon.

By James H. Clark

A van crashed into a utility pole on Route 112 near Wells Hill Road Friday afternoon, leaving the driver hospitalized in serious condition and forcing the highway to close for several hours.

The crash was reported at approximately 3:20 p.m., according to Connecticut State Police Troop B.

Keep ReadingShow less
Voices from our Salisbury community about the housing we need for a healthy, economically vibrant future

Renee Wilcox

If you’ve ever wandered through Paley’s Farm Market, you probably know Renee Wilcox. For thirty years, she has been greeting you with unmistakable warmth—always ready with a smile. Renee grew up in Millerton, but it was in Salisbury that her family found something they’d never had before: a true sense of home. In 2003, she and her husband Bill were living in Millerton, but Bill—a volunteer with the Lakeville Hose Company—was already part of Salisbury life. When the Salisbury Housing Trust finished eight new homes on East Main Street (Dunham Drive), Renee and Bill were the first to sign on.

The story of those houses is really a story about the best parts of our community. Richard Dunham and his wife, Inge, along with the Housing Trust board, poured years of energy and hope into the project. Renee can’t help but light up when she talks about the people who helped her family settle in. Digby Brown came by to install appliances and bathroom cabinets; Barbara Niles spent hours painting; Carl Williams assembled bunk beds for the kids. Rick Cantele, at Salisbury Bank, helped them with their finances so they could qualify for a mortgage, while neighbors arrived at their door with fruit baskets and welcoming words.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Trade Secrets: a glamorous garden event with a deeper mission

Heavy stone garden ornaments, a specialty of Judy Milne Antiques from Kingston, at Trade Secrets 2025.

Christine Bates

Tucked away on Porter Street in downtown Lakeville, Project SAGE is an unassuming building from a street view. But cross the threshold a week before Trade Secrets — one of the region’s biggest gardening events, long associated with Martha Stewart and glamorous plants of all varieties — and you’ll find a bustling world of employees and volunteers getting ready for the organization’s most important event of the year.

“It’s not usually like this,’ laughed Project SAGE director Kristen van Ginhoven. “But with Trade Secrets just around the corner, it’s definitely like this.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Two artists, two Hartford stages, one shared life

Caroline Kinsolving and Gary Capozzielo at home in Salisbury with their dogs, Petruchio and Beatrice

Provided
"He played his violin, I worked on my lines, we walked the dog, and suddenly we were circling each other perfectly."
Caroline Kinsolving

Actor Caroline Kinsolving and violinist Gary Capozziello enjoy their quiet life with their two dogs in Salisbury, yet are often pulled apart to perform on distant stages in far-flung cities. Currently, the planets have aligned, and both are working in Hartford, across Bushnell Park from one another. Bridgewater native Kinsolving is starring in “Circus Fire,” the current production of TheaterWorks Hartford, while Capozziello is a violinist and assistant concertmaster of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. While Kinsolving hates being away from home, she feels the distance nourishes their relationship.

“We are guardians of each other’s confidence and self-esteem,” she said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Local filmmaker turns spotlight back on Hollywood’s Mermaid

Esther Williams in “Million Dollar Mermaid” (1952).

Provided

For decades, Esther Williams was one of Hollywood’s brightest stars, but the swimming sensation of the silver screen has largely faded from public memory — a disappearance that intrigued Millerton filmmaker Brian Gersten and inspired him to revisit her legacy.

As a millennial, Gersten grew up largely unaware of Williams’ influential career. His teen years in Chicago were spent with friends who obsessed over movies, spending hours at their local independent video store,and watching anything that caught their eye. Somehow, though, they never ventured into the glossy world of synchronized-swimming musicals of the 1940s and ‘50s.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.