In 1985 I was living in Tokyo. My girlfriend (who later became my wife) and I decided to attend the 40th anniversary memorial service of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The service was very solemn and moving.
Afterward, we were outside a restaurant. A very nicely dressed Japanese man approached us, and asked if we were looking to have lunch. He then pointed to his mother across the street, an elderly woman dressed in her best outfit. He said she wanted to buy us lunch, but did not want to impose and eat with us.
We thanked him, and asked why.
He said his mother had been in Hiroshima in August 1945. Shortly after the bombing, American GIs came in. She could not believe how nice they were to her and the Japanese people.
He said she had always wanted to thank an American for the kindness of our soldiers, which was why she wanted to buy us lunch.
We savored the meal, and will forever cherish the “thank you” we were privileged to receive on behalf of the Greatest Generation.
Have a great Memorial Day, Ed says. And be sure to thank someone — a member of our armed forces, or a healthcare or other essential worker.
This might have been a lonely Memorial Day for Bill Vornkahl.
As “06880” reported this morning, the 90-year-old Korean War veteran recently lost his wife of 65 years.
And this year — for the first time in the 50 years he has organized Westport’s annual parade and tribute to fallen service members — the entire event was canceled, due to COVID.
But his family arranged a socially distanced cookout in the driveway of his Cross Highway home.
And in mid-morning — just like every year at Town Hall — Vornkahl heard “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Taps.”
Nick Rossi sings the national anthem.
The national anthem was sung stirringly by Nick Rossi. The 2019 Staples High School graduate — now a student at Boston College — is a veteran of Veteran’s Green. He played and sang at last year’s ceremony.
The mournful brass notes were sounded by Sam Atlas. The 2018 Staples grad is a trumpet major at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she plays in the orchestra, wind ensemble and chamber groups.
Sam Atlas plays “Taps.”
It was a fitting tribute for the man who is Westport’s “Mr. Memorial Day.” And he responded as any soldier would:
Posted onMay 25, 2020|Comments Off on COVID Roundup: “Parade”; “Taps”; Restaurant Info; Kelli O’Hara; More
If you’re like many Westporters, missing today’s Memorial Day parade was tough.
If you lived near downtown though, you were in luck.
Neighborhood kids were invited to decorate bikes. They rode — appropriately apart — from Wright Street to Orchard Lane, Ludlow Road and Kings Highway North. Over 40 youngsters (and a few parents) took part.
Spectators stood on their porches, and clapped. There was a street party afterward — still socially distant, but able to celebrate in the new old-fashioned way.
(Photo/Anne Hardy)
At 3 p.m. today (Memorial Day), a bugler will play “Taps” on the plaza between Saugatuck Sweets and The Whelk. It’s part of “Taps Across America,” a project initiated by CBS “On the Road” correspondent Steve Hartman.
Masked, appropriately distanced residents are invited to attend.
“Taps,” at Westport’s 2015 Memorial Day ceremony.
Todd Pines has been thinking about our dining scene. He writes:
“While restaurants are starting to open with limited capacity, most business is likely to be takeout for the foreseeable future. Ordering through behemoth delivery services (Uber Eats, Grubhub, etc.) takes an enormous split of the tab, further challenging restaurants’ ability to survive.
“Residents should understand the small impact they can make by calling a restaurant directly, seeing if they offer their own delivery staff. You can also consider getting in your own car, and picking up your meal directly. It means a lot to the restaurant owner.”
For a deep dive into delivery services, click here.
PS: Todd adds, “For the entrepreneurial-minded, a lot of college students and high school seniors are looking for work. They could help those restaurants with delivery, pocketing the tips while not forcing restaurants to discount their tab.”
Layla’s Falafel offers great food — and they have their own delivery service. Ordering direct helps them stay in business.
Speaking of which: Winfield Street Coffee is back open, just over the downtown bridge. Hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for breakfast, lunch and catering. There’s takeout, curbside pickup, delivery, and a few new seats on the sidewalk.
Also new: a “Reserved Parking/To Go Orders Only” sign, right in front. In these times when local businesses need all the help they can get — they’re getting it!
One of the underrated treasures of any Memorial Day is the PBS concert, broadcast from Washington, DC. It’s America at its best.
Last night’s show was different. The pandemic canceled the live show, so musical guests appeared on tape, from all over the country.
And right there among them was Westport’s own Kelli O’Hara. The Tony Award winner delivered a haunting rendition of “Fire and Rain.” Its refrain “but I always thought that I’d see you again” — juxtaposed against scenes of loved ones visiting graves of the men and women they’d lost — provided some of the most powerful moments of the entire evening.
And finally … as the coronavirus kept us apart today, let’s look back on a great Westport tradition. Here’s the Staples High School band in 2013, with their rousing Memorial Day “Armed Forces Salute.”
Comments Off on COVID Roundup: “Parade”; “Taps”; Restaurant Info; Kelli O’Hara; More
Around this time every year, I post photos from that day’s Memorial Day parade.
The collection shows so much of what makes Westport a community: a parade filled with kids and parents, cops and soldiers and fife-and-drummers; a meaningful ceremony on aptly named Veteran’s Green; flags, fun and a history-themed Y’s Men float that always wins the grand prize.
This year’s Memorial Day is different. A global pandemic — the worst since influenza ravaged the planet during World War I — has forced us apart. There will be no Little Leaguers (or Little League) today. There are no big parties. There’s no a grand marshal, no reflective speech, no moving, mournful “Taps.”
Next year we’ll again come together to honor our war heroes, and celebrate our history. In the meantime, let’s reflect on the meaning of today.
And look back on Memorial Days in Westport, from the past.
(Photo/Carminei Picarello)
The 2019 Bedford and Coleytown Middle School bands, (Photo/Sarah Tamm)
The reviewing stand. Last year’s grand marshal Nick Zeoli is at far right. (Photo/Dan Woog)
A Myrtle Avenue home honors the holiday. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Ed Vebell was one of Westport’s honored — and few remaining — World War II veterans. He served as the 2016 grand marshal.
Westport’s state champion 10-and-under softball team, and the 12-and-under runners-up, in 2016.
The dougbhoy statue in Veterans Green honors World War I service members. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
RTM member Andrew Colabella
Longtime parade organizer Bill Vornkahl talks with a veteran. (Photo/Kat Soren)
Alex Merton is captivated by a fife and drum corps. (Photo/Fred Cantor)
A Staples High School bugler plays “Taps.”
Troop 39 Boy Scouts lead the Pledge of Allegiance. In 2016, rain forced the ceremony indoors, at Town Hall.
.2015. (Photo/John Hartwell)
(Photo/Pam Romano-Gorman)
Staples High School band, 1971,
1st Selectman Herb Baldwin (far right) during a Memorial Day parade, in the late 1960s or early ’70s. Also in front, from left: John Davis Lodge, a Westporter, former governor of Connecticut and ambassador to Spain Argentina and Switzerland; U.S. Congressman Stewart McKinney.
A scene from 1962. The young man in front with the camera is future 1st Selectman (and CBS news correspondent, and WestportNow publisher) Gordon Joseloff. He ws covering the event for the Westport Town Crier newspaper.
Girl Scouts, 1955.
Leonard H. Gault driving fire truck in a 1920s parade, by Willowbrook Cemetery.
Bonus feature: One of the best Veteran’s Day speeches ever was Howard Munce’s. In 2008, the grand marshal said:
For decades, Memorial Day in Westport has meant one thing: Bill Vornkahl.
For half a century, he’s run one of our town’s most beloved traditions. Now 90 years old, he spent 14 months in Japan during the Korean War as a high-speed radio operator.
He joined Westport’s American Legion Post 63 in 1953, and the Westport Veterans Council a few years later. He first organized the parade in 1970. In 2013 he was inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame.
From 1996 to ’99 he was treasurer of Westport’s War Monument Committee, helping place memorials to various wars on Veterans Green.
Bill Vornkahl, at last year’s Memorial Day parade. (Photo/Carmine Picarello)
Today has always been the most important day of the year for Bill Vornkahl. This year, it’s especially tough. Instead of a community-wide parade, Westporters are forced to remain apart.
His wife died a short while ago too, just before what would have been their 66th anniversary.
So as we think of all our veterans, let’s give special thanks to Bill Vornkahl. And what better way to honor him — and all service members — than with the poem he always recites at the Veteran’s Green ceremony after the parade.
It is the soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of press.
It is the soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
(Poem by Charles H. Province. Hat tip: Janine Scotti)
Justin Polayes is a 2004 Staples High School graduate. Unlike many of his classmates, he entered the military. This Memorial Day, he reflects on that life — and this day.
As a kid in Westport, Memorial Day was a great time. I walked in the parade as a Little Leaguer, Boy Scout, Bedford Middle School band member, what have you.
The holiday was the start of when dinners moved to the back yard, and life happened at Compo Beach. It was a safe, happy, relaxing day, without much thought of its origins.
A classic Westport Mmeorial Day photo. (Photo/Doris Ghitelman)
In college the holiday was much of the same. It was about summer starting, and usually a road trip home for cookouts and to see family and friends. As a young adult I became a bit more aware of what Memorial Day means. I saw wreaths being laid, tributes on TV, and more on social media.
But it wasn’t until 2 years into my military career that Memorial Day really meant something for me.
My first holiday came in the middle of grueling training and selection. I used that extra day to sleep and rest some injuries.
However, by that second Memorial Day as an active duty member I had already lost friends in combat. It was like a light switch flipped. The entire meaning of the holiday changed. Cookouts and beach lounging were replaced with visiting graves and “memorial workouts” to honor my fallen brothers and sisters.
Justin Polayes (left) spent one Memorial Day on duty in East Africa.
While living in the United Kingdom, the difference between our Memorial Day and their Remembrance Day was noticeable. I lived in a great little town surrounded by families with little children. All the kids wore red poppy pins on their shirts. On Remembrance Day, most families without any military affiliation went to a national military cemetery or war memorial. At the very least almost everyone watched the queen lay a wreath at the Cenotaph (war memorial in London). Once their respects were paid, cookouts and garden parties could begin.
For the last 5 years I’ve been based in Washington D.C. I live only a few miles from Arlington National Cemetery. My Memorial Day tradition now isn’t parades or beach cookouts; it is paying respects to friends.
In lots 62 and 65 alone, my wife (who also served) and I have 19 friends and fellow service members laid to rest. Walking those hallowed grounds on Memorial Day is a true pleasure, something everyone should experience in their lifetime. Politics go out the window. Petty gripes and complaints about daily life mean nothing. You feel small in the face of so many white marble headstones.
Arlington National Cemetery (Photo/Justin Polayes)
There is nothing wrong with how Westport celebrates Memorial Day. However, as a former resident looking inward from afar it does seem the celebrations are more about what we have and not about what we lost.
Westporters have given their lives in service for this country since the founding of our country. A handful are still in harm’s way today. Please take a moment to remember those heroes this Memorial Day.
And please teach the younger generation why.
Youngsters play at Veteran’s Green, after Westport’s 2018 Memorial Day ceremony. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
It’s nice to hear that Westport restaurants are reopening.
It’s also nice to hear that town and civic officials are doing all they can to help.
Rizzuto’s and The Lobster Shack were back in business Friday. Owner Bill Rizzuto says, “our Planning and Zoning people and fire marshal were fantastic. And a big hats-off to Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce director Matthew Mandell, who worked tirelessly to support us all.”
Rizzuto’s offers outdoor dining Monday through Thursday 4 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 12 to 9:30 p.m., and Sunday 12 to 8 p.m. They’re continuing curbside service and delivery too. Click here to order.
The Lobster Shack is open for curbside pickup and delivery Monday through Thursday, 4 to 8 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, 12 to 8 p.m.
Also reopening tomorrow at 7:30 a.m.: Coffee An’!
(Photo/Katherine Bruan)
Aspetuck Land Trust — whose 40+ preserves have provided area residents with healthy, mood-lifting walking trails throughout the pandemic — is sponsoring its first-ever native plant sale.
It’s simple: Order online, and reserve a curbside pickup time. Plants can be picked up at Gilbertie’s Organics in Easton in 2 weeks.
Up to half of the purchase price is a tax-deductible contribution to Aspetuck Land Trust!
Choose from pollinator herb variety packs; pollinator garden kits; mailbox garden kits; shrubs and trees, and eco-type plants (plugs) for containers and gardens.
Prices range from $9 to $80.
Click here to order. To join a webinar this Wednesday (May 27, 10:30 a.m.) about the importance of planting natives, click here, then scroll down.
What’s a Sunday without former FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb on “Face the Nation”? At least this week his live-remote hometown got a shout-out on the chyron. (Hat tip: Alan Shinbaum)
Since 1947, Roger’s Septic Tanks has provided service — pumping, repairs, installation — from its Post Road location near Maple Avenue South.
It’s not a glamorous business. The property was not glamorous either. But boy, was it an essential service.
The facility itself has been there for 120 years. But it won’t be around much longer. Soon, it will be replaced by new homes.
A little bit of old Westport will be lost then. Hopefully, it will be remembered by folks like Wendy Cusick, Morley Boyd, Bobbie Herman, Jonathan McClure and Ed Simek.
Those 5 knew that last week’s Photo Challenge showed an intriguing view of the tank manufacturer. (Click here to see.) Very impressive!
On a side note, I’m impressed that everyone knows it’s Roger’s — as in, Roger owns it — rather than Rogers’ (as in a family’s last name). Also very impressive.
And this is impressive too: the plaque that forms this week’s Photo Challenge. I’m sure everyone has passed by this spot. But have you ever really noticed it?
If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
Yesterday, the town announced a special virtual Memorial Day celebration for tomorrow (Monday, May 25).
At 9 a.m., a 17-minute video will be broadcast on Cablevision channel 79 and Frontier channel 6020. It will be posted later on the town’s Facebook page.
But hey: Want a sneak peak? It’s already on the Town of Westport’sYouTube channel!
It sounds like our middle and high school bands were captured live. But the story is far more complex — and difficult — than that.
One screenshot from Westport’s virtual Memorial Day parade …
Bedford Middle School band teacher Lou Kitchner takes us behind the scenes:
Due to the COVID-19 school closure, Westport students have been unable to participate in traditional school experiences that were a significant part of their daily activities — like music classes.
To address this problem, and also honor Westport’s fallen heroes and veterans, grade 6-12 band directors James Forgey, Gregg Winters and Phil Giampietro and I designed a way for students to share their musical talents via a digital performance.
Clockwise from upper left: Gregg Winters, Lou Kitchner, Phil Giampietro, James Forgey.
We created and posted a play-along audio track, with an embedded metronome click, on their class websites. Students practiced their individual parts by playing along with the audio accompaniment.
After a week or two of practice, 165 students recorded their individual performances, just as professional studio musicians do. They used whatever technology they had available: a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone.
All 165 submissions were then imported into multi-track music software by the teachers. Next the band directors aligned and edited them in time with the song’s tempo, and mixed them down into a single ensemble performance track.
The individual mixes — 6th, 7th and 8th grades, and the combined Staples High School bands — were then combined into one complete grade 6-12 performance. I am so proud of these kids! It sounds like they were all together, in one room.
To complement the audio, we asked students to submit photos of themselves holding or performing their instrument — in school or town- related attire if possible (school closure prevented them from accessing uniforms or school-specific parade t-shirts).
… and another.
Staples media teacher Geno Heiter then spent hours merging all the photos with the final ensemble mix to create the final product: a virtual Memorial Day parade!
Westport has won 7 straight “Best Community for Music Education” awards, from a national foundation. After this effort, they should just name it after us and retire it forever.
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