Beacon Falls residents thanked for support of flag initiative

Plaques presented at breakfast event

Pictured from left, Paul Block, Schaefer-Fischer Post 25 American Legion Senior Vice Commander, Marine Corps veteran Peter Petrino, Citizens for Tomorrow's Downtown Committee co-chair Liz Falzone, Beacon Falls First Selectman Gerard Smith, and Norm Williamson, Junior Vice Commander, Schaefer-Fischer Post. 
Missing from photo is Citizens for Tomorrow's Downtown Committee co-chair Rick Cherhoniak.

BEACON FALLS - Resident Peter Petrino invited my husband Ralph and me to a breakfast event today at Pond View Village, an active adult community.
Residents there have financially supported the town's American flag initiative along Main Street.

Members of Schaefer-Fischer Post 25, American Legion in Beacon Falls presented Village residents with framed plaques thanking them for adopting two lamp posts with flag poles that are along the Main Street walkway.

Schaefer-Fischer Post 25 American Legion Senior Vice Commander Paul Block, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, got choked up as he thanked Village residents. "These plaques don't belong to us, they belong to you," he said.
"Those who participated thus far, we thank you," Block said. "And those who will participate in the future, we thank you."

He said sponsors of the flags will maintain them for the next 10 years. The flags will fly from Memorial Day in May until Veterans Day in November, Block added.
He commended the public works department for its assistance with the flags. 

First Selectman Gerard Smith said, "I can't express my gratitude for what you've done for our community."

 This is one of two plaques presented to Village residents.


A big thank you goes to our friend, Pete Petrino, who cooked a delicious breakfast for veterans and community members.
We were happy to be a part of the festivities!