Words, music in store for Veterans Day

Words, music in store for Veterans Day

Meriden Record Journal

By Farrah Duffany

11.08.12

Area communities are preparing concerts, breakfasts and ceremonies marking Veterans Day.

The Southington High School Symphonic Band is working with members of the American Legion Post 72 in Southington to present a Veterans Day concert on Monday, Nov. 12, to benefit Fisher House CT.

Fisher House helps military families nationwide by building and maintaining long-term housing and residential facilities for injured soldiers who need a place to stay during rehabilitation.

This is the first Veterans Day concert for the band. It is part of a school system-wide effort to partner with veterans organizations.

Joanne Kelleher, publicity chairwoman for the Southington High School band, said the students are excited to perform.

“Part of what (the school district) is doing is to educate students about the importance of veterans,” Kelleher said.

The concert will consist mostly of patriotic songs. At the end of the concert, veterans in the audience will be recognized.

School Superintendent Joseph V. Erardi Jr. said the concert is just one of several ways to recognize veterans in the community. Erardi helped to establish a partnership with local veterans this year that allows them to come into the classrooms and share their knowledge and experience with students. Erardi said the partnership has been a success.

“I’m really pleased we fulfilled our obligation in a terrific way,” Kelleher said. “It’s the right thing to do. We’ve had an extraordinary opportunity for students.”

Meriden will be honoring veterans with a ceremony at American Legion Post 45 on Sunday, Nov. 11. At 1 p.m., local officials and veterans will be saying a few words in honor of current veterans and those who have given their lives for their country, said Tony Gianakos, the post’s commander. From 3 to 5 p.m. there will be a luminary ceremony with candles, a color guard and more guest speakers.

“To me, every day is Veterans Day,” Gianakos said. “I know our country has one day to honor the veterans and our freedom, but we are free 365 days a year.”

The ceremony is free and open to the public and Gianakos said he hopes there is a large turnout and support for the veterans.

“It doesn’t cost anything to say thank you for our freedom and that’s the message I try to send out,” Gianakos said.