On December 4, 1943, the Saturday Evening Post cover featured Westport illustrator Stevan Dohanos’ painting of our town’s Honor Roll.
It stood in front of the old Town Hall (now Jesup Hall and Rothbard Ale + Larder restaurants). The magazine called it “Honoring the Dead.”
In fact, it honored all the Westporters then serving in World War II. In late 1943, victory was not yet assured. It was a terrible time. Many of those whose names were outside Town Hall did not make it home.
Town Hall is now on Myrtle Avenue. Plaques across the street — on Veterans Green — memorialize Westporters killed in several wars. This is the one for World War II:
Veterans Green is also where a ceremony takes place, immediately after today’s parade (approximately 10:30 a.m.). Grand marshal Larry Aasen — 95 years old, and a World War II veteran — will deliver the keynote address.
So many Westporters have sacrificed so much, to ensure the freedoms we have today.
The brief Veterans Green ceremony is one small way by which we can honor them.
(Hat tip: John Gunn)
Free parking is offered for the event across from the Veteran Green behind 205/215 Main Street.
All those young boys from just one small town never came home. Their sacrifice kept us free. NEVER FORGET!
Good to remember them , I remember being surprised at how many were lost from town.. that we knew.
I remember this as Stevan Dohanos has portrayed for the Saturday Evening Post. The Honor Role was an important part and central to the town. All three of my Uncles were in the Navy. It was a huge deal and what all those young men did for the country still is an important part of our collective history.
Fold a paper crane.