On a brisk and sunny Veterans Day, the community joined together at Veteran's Garden, outside of the Lounsbury House, to honor Ridgefield’s veterans as well as all of America’s 2,600,000 veterans.
Commander George Besse welcomed attendees and introduced Evelyn Carr, who has been the event vocalist for five consecutive years. Carr, a 9th-grade student at Ridgefield High School, gave those present chills as she opened the ceremony by singing the National Anthem.
Carr's mother Noelle recalled, "We've been going to that service since my kids were very young. In kindergarten, Evelyn said, Someday I'll sing at this event to honor my Grandpa. And now she is."
Local veterans and government officials including First Selectman Rudy Marconi offered words, poems, and Veterans Day reflections.
The ceremony, organized by American Legion Post 78, featured speaker Army Captain Lynn Isaac of Ridgefield who was Staff Officer and Communications Platoon Leader for Patriot Air Defense Artillery Battalion stationed in Germany and Saudi Arabia.
Isaac is a grad of Fordham University where she served as a cadet. She later earned a nursing degree from Fairfield University. Isaac shared memories of her time in service. "No one has ever said they regretted serving our country," Issac said. "10% of our veteran population are women," she added.
Cub Scout Pack 74 participated in the ceremony by the laying of the wreath on the memorial monument and two high school musicians played taps.
Thank you to all our veterans and to all who made today’s ceremony special, especially American Legion commander, George Besse.
God Bless America.