Seymour Marks Veterans Day

SEYMOUR - The town and VFW Post 12084 recently held its annual Veterans Day candlelight vigil ceremony at Broad Street Park. Local mayors and area lawmakers were on hand, while Col. Jerry Lukowski of the CT National Guard served as guest speaker. Longtime Board of Education member Fred Stanek served as emcee of the event, which was led by the Seymour Middle School chorus singing “God Bless America.”  Members of the Seymour police, fire and emergency services departments presented wreaths at the various war memorials.

Save the Dates

Vigil to Honor Survivors and Victims of Domestic Violence

NEW HAVEN- To raise awareness about domestic violence, BHcare’s The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services (UCDVS) will hold a vigil to honor survivors and remember the victims of domestic violence.

 

The 19^th Annual Sound of Hope will be held on Wednesday, October 3 at 1:00 pm at Long Wharf Pier, New Haven, CT. The vigil will include the reading of names of those who have died as a result of domestic violence.

 

Each person will receive a flower to toss into the harbor. The flowers represent the hopes and struggles of the survivors as they strive to become free from violence. The flower also gently reminds us of the lives that have been taken from us due to domestic violence.

 

Every October, the nation observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) to bring to light an issue that effects all of our communities. Every 9 seconds, a woman is battered in the U.S. One in four women and one in seven men in the U.S. are victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives.

 

Kevin Glen, Deputy Chief of Police of North Haven, will be the guest speaker and members the local police departments will be recognized for their role in the fight against domestic violence. The following members will be recognized: Sergeant Clifford Hill, Sergeant Matthew Falcon, Officer Valdemar Queiroga of North Haven, Sergeant Craig Michalowski, Sergeant Anthony Rybaruk, Detective Jeff Vailette, Officer Luke Rasile, Officer Joe Carangelo, Detective Joseph Finoia, Sergeant Joseph Mulhern Officer Jason Anderson, Officer Anthony Fiorillo, Lt. Joseph Murgo and Sergeant Paul DeCrosta of East Haven, Sergeant Dom Eula and Officer Jacob Cheesman of Branford, Officer Scott Shumway, Officer Eric Pesino, Officer Jeff Suchy, Officer Chris Lawerence, Officer Paul Vitale, Sergeant Jim Evarts, Sergeant Craig Dixon, Detective Lenny Soto, Officer Maegan Moran, and Detective Cherelle Carr of New Haven and Officer Brian Salemme and Officer Mark Berretta of West Haven.

 

For more information about the vigil, or about domestic violence services call (203) 736-2601, x1381, or visit www.bhcare.org.  If you need immediate assistance, please call our 24-hour domestic violence hotline 1-888-774-2900.

 

UCDVS is a program of BHcare that provides services for victims and children of domestic violence free of charge. Each year, over 6,000 abused women and their children walk through the door of UCDVS looking for shelter, help and hope. Learn more at bhcare.org.

 

(This is a press release from BHcare)

Valley Vigil to Honor and Remember Victims of Domestic Violence

Shelton = Every October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is observed to bring to light an issue that effects all of our communities. Every 9 seconds, a woman is battered in the U.S. One in four women and one in seven men in the U.S. are victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives.

 

To raise awareness about domestic violence, BHcare’s The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services (UCDVS) will hold a vigil to honor and remember survivors and victims of domestic violence on Tuesday, October 13 at 6:00 pm at the Gazebo at Huntington Center Green, Shelton, CT. Chief Kevin Hale, Ansonia Police Department will be the keynote speaker. The vigil will also include recognition of law enforcement officials and community members.

 

For more information about the vigil, or about domestic violence services call (203) 736-2601, ext. 1381, or visit www.bhcare.org. If you need immediate assistance, please call our 24-hour domestic violence hotline 1-888-774-2900.

 

UCDVS is a program of BHcare that provides services for victims and children of domestic violence free of charge. Each year, over 6,000 abused women and their children walk through the door of UCDVS looking for shelter, help and hope. Learn more at bhcare.org.

 

(This is a press release from BH Care)

CWV Post in Derby to hold vigil for POW/MIAs

           DERBY - Catholic War Veterans Auxiliary Post 1562, 112 Derby Ave. is hosting a POW/MIA vigil to honor 24 POW/MIA’s still unaccounted for from Connecticut and Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl  a POW currently being held in Afghanistan. 

        The 25-hour vigil starts 1 p.m. May 17 will include an opening ceremony, volunteers to portray POW/MIA’s in bamboo cage dressed in appropriate attire, sunset prayer, midnight prayer, and a closing ceremony.  The intent is to honor all of our current and former POW/MIAs in a somber and earnest way.  The volunteer prisoners will be dressed in prisoner attire, blind folded and sit/stand in the bamboo cage holding symbolic dog tags personalized to each of the 25 POW/MIAs.  

        When the volunteer’s time is up a welcoming party will welcome them home in a symbolic matter.   This event will happen regardless of the weather as our POW/MIA’s were/are be subjected to all types of inclement weather so will our volunteers.

Opening ceremony will consist of presentation of the American Flag and POW/MIA Flag by the Renegade Nights Battalion 2 in a motorcycle procession.  Other motorcyclists are welcome to join in the procession. Upon conclusion of the opening ceremony the first prisoner will be escorted to the cage followed by a recital of the biography of the prisoner being represented. 
 This process will continue on the hour every hour until all such prisoners have been represented.

Throughout the ceremony individuals, veterans' organizations, service organizations, businesses, and the like will have the opportunity to present a wreath at the cage as a way of paying their respects. 

Ceremonies of prayer and remembrance will occur at 8 p.m. Saturday (sunset) and at midnight.

Closing ceremony will include a bell ceremony in cooperation with the Paugassett Hook and Ladder Company 4 of Derby. Music will be provided by Gaelic Highland Pipe Band.

The public and most especially veterans are invited to attend at any time throughout the event including the overnight hours.

For more information contact Kim Abenante at powmia1562@gmail.com or 203-893-0017.


This is a press release from CWV Post 1562.

Annual vigil offers comfort to families of missing persons

I'm re-posting this story that my colleague Michelle Tuccitto Sullo wrote earlier this month. She shared it today to remind people that the vigil is at 6 p.m. tomorrow.

By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo 

NAUGATUCK >> Family and friends of missing persons can set up displays about their loved ones this year at the annual vigil "A Night of Hope," planned to mark the state's Missing Persons Day.
The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 25 on the Green on Church Street in Naugatuck. If it rains, the event will move indoors to the Naugatuck Town Hall, 229 Church St.
"Every year we try to bring together families of missing loved ones, and the public is always welcome," said Janice Smolinski of Cheshire. "It will be a night of peace, hope, support and learning."
The event, sponsored by the Smolinski family and the LostNMissing Inc. organization, is free and open to all.
Smolinski's son, William Smolinski Jr. of Waterbury, disappeared Aug. 24, 2004, at the age of 31. Police have said they believe he was the victim of foul play.
The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception's Ladies Guild in Waterbury has offered to make hand-made prayer blankets for a few families who are in need of prayer and peace, Janice Smolinski said. These will be presented at the event.
Janet Frisco of New Haven, whose daughter Evelyn Frisco disappeared in June 2004, said she goes to the event every year. Police have said Evelyn Frisco, who was 42 when she vanished, is presumed dead.
"They have my daughter's pictures and photos of others who are missing" at the event, Janet Frisco said. "It makes you feel better to go to the vigil because there are others in the same situation."
Space will be available for families to set up displays to bring awareness about their missing loved one. There will also be singing and refreshments.
"Butterflies will be released, as legend says they bring wishes to heaven," Smolinski said.
Sgt. James Thomas, who heads the state police's Missing Persons Unit, has been invited to speak about the unit's work and progress in solving missing persons cases.
State Rep. David Labriola, R-Oxford, said the event typically attracts more than 100 participants.

Emmett O'Brien remembers Newtown victims

At candlelight vigil 

Hundreds attended a vigil Wednesday at Emmett O'Brien Technical High School in Ansonia. This photo shows one of 26 angels created by students and placed on the grass in front of the school. This one is in memory of teacher Lauren Rousseau, 30, who was among 26 people - including 20 first graders - murdered Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

I apologize for the glare, but thought I'd post this photo anyway to offer another example of the memorials created by Emmett O'Brien students and staff, who demonstrate time and again that they have hearts of gold.

O'Brien holds vigil for shooting victims

Emmett O'Brien Technical High School Principal Laurie LeBouthillier, right, speaks Wednesday at a candlelight vigil in memory of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims.

The vigil was held in front of the Ansonia school. (Photo taken from a video)

Emmett O'Brien to hold vigil Wednesday

ANSONIA - Emmett O'Brien Technical High School will hold a candlelight vigil at 5 p.m. Wednesday in memory of the victims of Friday's massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

O'Brien Principal Laurie LeBouthillier said Newtown High School boys' basketball team will be in attendance.  

The vigil will be held in front of the school at 141 Prindle Ave.

Valley residents mourn at Derby vigil

Last night I covered the Valley's candlelight vigil in memory of those lost in the school slayings in Sandy Hook.
It was held on the Derby Green, and I was struck by the large number of people - hundreds - who attended.

Ansonia Mayor James Della Volpe said, "It's a tremendous turnout for a night like this. People are looking for an outlet," he said, and want to be with others in the community.

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile commented, "It's great to see such a big crowd here. It shows how big our hearts are in our small community of Derby."
   

People huddled under umbrellas waiting for the vigil to start. The festive Christmas lights seemed out of place at first, but I soon saw them as symbolizing hope for a brighter future for our community and our nation.


At the start of the service, Pablo Barriga, campus facilitator, New Life Community Church in Derby, told the crowd, "We have seen the devil at his worst. Let us now believe we shall see God at His best."  

Norwich resident Swaranghit Singh holds a sign showing support of the victims of Friday's massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. About 50 members of the Sikh community attended the vigil Sunday night.

Singh said the shootings reminded him of the August slayings of six Sikhs at a temple in Wisconsin. He said the Sikh community will hold a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. Friday at its temple, Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar, 1610 West St., Southington.

 Angela Descheen, 3, of Derby, shows us there is hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Valley vigil is at 7 p.m. today

Reposting as a reminder:

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Valley vigil slated Sunday on Derby Green

DERBY - Mayor Anthony Staffieri is asking that residents from Derby, Ansonia, Seymour, and Shelton please bring a candle and join him at the Derby Green at 7 p.m. Sunday for a candlelight vigil to support the families and friends affected by the horrific events at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

“Please join with Mayor Lauretti of Shelton, Mayor Della Volpe of Ansonia, First Selectman Miller of Seymour and I to honor those that have passed and to support and pray for the friends and families of the deceased,” Staffieri said. 
“We cannot change the dreadful events that occurred this past Friday, but we can stand together in unison to offer our prayers and lend our support to those that must endure this unbearable pain.” 

This information is taken from a press release from Derby City Hall.

Valley vigil slated Sunday on Derby Green

DERBY - Mayor Anthony Staffieri is asking that residents from Derby, Ansonia, Seymour, and Shelton please bring a candle and join him at the Derby Green at 7 p.m. Sunday for a candlelight vigil to support the families and friends affected by the horrific events at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

“Please join with Mayor Lauretti of Shelton, Mayor Della Volpe of Ansonia, First Selectman Miller of Seymour and I to honor those that have passed and to support and pray for the friends and families of the deceased,” Staffieri said. 
“We cannot change the dreadful events that occurred this past Friday, but we can stand together in unison to offer our prayers and lend our support to those that must endure this unbearable pain.” 

This information is taken from a press release from Derby City Hall.

Vigil planned today in Oxford

From my friend and former Register colleague Joanne Pelton's Facebook page:

"We are having a vigil TONIGHT at 5 p.m. for the victims at Sandy Hook Elementary School at the Oxford Grange, right next to the Center Fire House and the Center School. 

Please share this with as many people as possible."

No Vet Left Behind to hold vigil

 2nd annual event slated Saturday at Shelton park

A Vietnam veteran portrays a prisoner of war at last year's vigil. Patricia Villers/Register

SHELTON - The public is invited to join No Vet Left Behind, Inc. and its supporters in unity Saturday to honor those who gave so valiantly during the times the country has been at war.
A second annual vigil will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Veteran's Memorial Park on Canal Street, adjacent to the Riverwalk. 
To participate in the vigil or to volunteer, contact Mary Porter, 203-906-0533.


The above information was provided by Mary Porter of Derby, President, No Vet Left Behind, Inc.  The nonprofit organization is dedicated to helping veterans reintegrate into the community, find employment, and navigate the bureaucracy of the Veterans' Administration.