FARMINGTON — Friday is about remembering and honoring those who donned a uniform for this country, state Sen. Tom Saviello of Wilton said about Veterans Day services here and in Wilton.
It’s about the dog soldiers in World War II who went out before the troops using dogs to locate enemies. It’s about the corpsman told to remove his Red Cross armband as he helped fallen soldiers, because those with the bands were shot at first. It’s also about the soldier in Pearl Harbor who looked directly into the eyes of the pilot of a Japanese bomber on that fateful December day.
A veterans recognition service, where such stories are shared, will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at First Baptist Church on the Whittier Road in Farmington, Saviello said. All military veterans are invited and will be recognized.
Registration for veterans begins at 2 p.m. Discharge papers are needed for registration, he said.
At 2:30 p.m., video excerpts of interviews with 18 World War II veterans completed over the last three years will be shown. Their stories, like those mentioned above, are moving and remarkable, he said.
Many people don’t remember the significance of the 11th month, the 11th day, the 11th hour, Charles Bennett, American Legion state sergeant of arms, said previously.
It is the date and time that a declaration was signed signaling the end of World War I. It’s now observed as Veterans Day, he said.
In Wilton on Friday, a short service begins at 9 a.m. at the monument on Main Street, Saviello said. It will include short readings, a Boy Scout flag ceremony and a wreath dropped into the stream to remember those who served or were lost at sea.
Veterans Day services in Farmington on Friday will begin at the town’s World War Arch on North Main Street at 11 a.m.
American Legion Post 28 color guard will lead the ceremony.
From there, a wreath-laying ceremony and prayer takes place at the World War II honor roll in Meetinghouse Park, also on Main Street.
Everyone is invited to the Legion hall at High and Middle streets for a free dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Bennett said.
Then it’s on to Walmart for a 1 p.m. service. A variety of tributes is listed on the program, with members of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Sandy River Young Marines participating.
Brian Chick will perform acoustic guitar solos starting at 12:30 p.m. as people gather for the service. The Franklin County Fiddlers will provide a musical selection during the service and Bob Underwood will perform a bagpipe tribute to veterans.
Erlon Rose, past state commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars, will share memories of war, and a University of Maine at Farmington teacher, Ali, from Iran will speak as the voice of the “enemy.”
Ed Quinn, who served with the U.S. Air Force Air Police in Vietnam, will express appreciations. Saviello and Lt. Col. Michael Backus will provide comments and greetings.
The public is invited to remember veterans and the significance of the holiday through any of these programs.
abryant@sunjournal.com
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