Thank you to those of you who voted on May 12th. Whether you voted for or against the budget, the important thing is that you voted. The Colchester Memorial Day Parade Committee has chosen “Home of the Free Because of the Brave” as the theme for this year’s parade. Being able to vote for the issue or person in which each of us individually believes is one of the freedoms that we all enjoy because of our brave men and women through the ages who have given of themselves for us.
Both last year and this, I had the opportunity to attend the annual state-wide Armed Forces Day luncheon honoring all branches of the military. Last Friday, accompanied by three Colchester veterans, I listened to the remembrances and speeches thinking “I’m surrounded by heroes.” Throughout the room were men and women who fought for us in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War to today’s more current wars and battles … men and women on both active duty and in the reserves who served and continue to serve in our military to protect the rights and freedoms that many of us take for granted.
Part of the luncheon is for each of the military branches to honor an outstanding member from their branch. Reading through the biographies of these members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, I found a biography with no picture. It included … “instrumental with the John Long Invitational …,” “… teacher …,” “… helped with First Day activities …” Hmm. Coincidental? I glanced up at the name and then read the biography more closely. Sure enough, the U.S. Coast Guard’s honoree was Colchester’s very own Charles E. Hewes, teacher at Bacon Academy; an extremely dedicated teacher. So much so that he missed receiving his award because he was at a track meet that conflicted with the timing
of the luncheon. So, if you see Charlie Hewes around, please take a moment to congratulate him and thank him for all that he does for Colchester’s children and for all of us.
Colchester has a wealth of unnamed heroes also. Look around at your neighbors – sailors and soldiers, past and present, can be found in every one of our neighborhoods. Have you thanked one recently?
Memorial Day was first officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, who declared May 30, 1868 "as a day for strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of~comrades who died in defense of their country, and whose bodies now lie in~almost every city, village, or hamlet churchyard in the land...It is the purpose of~ the commander-in-chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will~ be kept from year to year while a survivor of the war remains to honor the~ memory of the departed." In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared Memorial Day a federal holiday to honor all who have died in military service to our country.
We need to remember those who paid the price for our many freedoms and honor those who died serving our country. We must never let them be forgotten. We owe our honored men and women more than we can ever repay.
This Sunday, May 24th, the Memorial Day parade steps off at 12:30 p.m. from William J. Johnston Middle School. I hope to see the parade route lined with all of Colchester’s residents as we join together to honor our loved ones, our neighbors, friends and residents who have given the ultimate sacrifice for us. Teach our children to honor the flag as it passes – for all that it means and provides to us. Come together at the Veteran’s Green for the ceremony to honor our men and women who fought to give us the many freedoms we enjoy today. This is a day of remembrance and honor. I look forward to seeing each and every one of you on Sunday.
Previous Selectman Notes can be viewed at
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