Memorial Day 2018: The Ceremony

Posted on May 28, 2018 | 6 comments

After today’s parade — after all the police, firefighters and EMTs marched past; after all the Little Leaguers, Suzuki violinists and Y gymnasts romped by; after the Y’s Men’s perennial award-winning float brought tears to the eyes — several hundred Westporters headed to Veterans Green.

There — across from Town Hall, surrounded by the doughboy statue, monuments to war dead, and a flag at half-staff — the real meaning of “Memorial” Day took place.

With patriotic songs, insightful remarks, the laying of a wreath, a 21-gun salute and mournful “Taps,” we paid tribute to the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice. They are the reason we are here today.

Three veterans remember.

Staff sergeant Eric Rios.

First Selectman Jim Marpe acknowledges (from left) parade organizer Bill Vornkahl, grand marshal Larry Aasen, his wife Martha Aasen, and 101-year old veteran Ted Diamond.

Part of the large crowd at Veterans Green

Grand marshal Larry Aasen spoke about the horrors of war. In addition to his own experiences with the 13th Airborne Division, he spoke about his uncle’s death by mustard gas in World War I, and his brother who saw the concentration camps of World War II. “We all pray for peace,” Aasen said. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)

Parade organizer Bill Vornkahl (right) talks with a longtime Westporter. (Photo/Kat Soren)

Another veteran reflects. (Photo/Doris Ghitelman)

The doughboy statue in Veterans Green (Photo/Ted Horowitz)

A Staples High School bugler plays “Taps.”

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Memorial Day 2018: The Parade!

Posted on May 28, 2018 | 6 comments

For the first time in 3 years, Westport’s Memorial Day parade was on.

It was cloudy and cool — but no one cared. One of our town’s greatest traditions took place again. From Riverside Avenue, over the bridge, up the Post Road and across Myrtle Avenue, it was a beautiful red-white-and-blue day!

Grand marshal Larry Aasen and his wife Martha (Photo/Ted Horowitz)

Mike Calise loves a parade (Photo/Maria Calise O’Herron)

Milissa Pianka was shown in yesterday’s “06880” 1981 parade video as a baby, on the steps of Assumption Church. She’s there today 37 years later (far right) witih her husband, 3 kids and other relatives. (Photo/Billy Nistico)

A classic car heads up Riverside Drive (Photo/Ted Horowitz)

Town officials (Photo/Gerald Romano)

One of the many creative floats (Photo/Dan Woog)

Longtime Westporter John Freeman is 94 years old. He fought at the Battle of the Bulge. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Not everyone walks (Photo/Carolyn McPhee)

What’s a parade without a vintage fire truck? (Photo/David Squires)

Jim Marpe poses with veterans (Photo/Ted Horowitz)

Suzuki violinists entertain the crowd (Photo/Doris Ghitelman)

Indefatigable patriot Miggs Burroughs … (Photo/Ted Horowitz)

… and indefatigable former 2nd selectman Betty Lou Cummings (Photo/Doris Ghitelman)

This vehicle has a very young driver (Photo/Jodi Harris)

The reviewing stand in front of Town Hall (Photo/dan Woog)

Man’s best friend celebrates too (Photo/Doris Ghitelman)

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Posted in Children, Westport life

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Memorial Day: We Remember

Posted on May 28, 2018 | 5 comments

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)

 

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Pic Of The Day #405

Posted on May 27, 2018 | 1 comment

Pairs rowing shell on the Saugatuck River (Photo/David Curtis, HDFAPhotography.com)

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More Memories: 1981 Memorial Day Parade

Posted on May 27, 2018 | 20 comments

In December 1980, Tom Leyden bought a video camera.

He was one of the first Westporters to tape kids’ sports, school shows and other events.

An early effort — taken from the Assumption Church steps — was the 1981 Memorial Day parade.

Leyden’s son had just won a trivia contest on WMMM’s morning show. The prize: a chance to ride with host John LaBarca, in the back of a groovy convertible.

Leyden captured that moment — and the rest of the parade too.

It’s all here: former Governor John D. Lodge and all the town bigwigs; the Staples High School, and Long Lots, Coleytown and Bedford Junior High bands; WWPT sports broadcasters, Little Leaguers, Scouts, Indian Guides, the Westport Historical Society — even Big Bird.

There are many gems. Right at the beginning, for instance, we see Bill Cribari — the man the Saugatuck River bridge is named after — strutting proudly along.

Westport’s Memorial Day parade is timeless. After 37 years, so much in this video looks familiar.

Except for one thing: Everyone actually watches the parade.

There’s not one cell phone to be seen.

 

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Posted in Looking back, Organizations, Westport life

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Remembering Howard Burling

Posted on May 27, 2018 | 7 comments

On the eve of Memorial Day comes news of the death of Howard Burling II. The former Westport police officer — who died last week in Trumbull, age 83 — was best known here for another holiday.

Every 4th of July he would parachute onto the Compo Beach parking lot. His landing marked the unofficial start of the fireworks.

Parachuting — one of Burling’s many passions — dated back to his Marine Corps service during the Korean War. He parachuted more than 2,000 times including onto the North Pole — at the age of 62.

After the Marines — which after his discharge he continued to serve as a reserve officer — Burling joined the Westport Police Department. He spent 20 years on the force, retiring as captain.

In 1968 he and his son Marc served as models for a U.S. postage stamp, celebrating the police officer’s duty to protect and serve.

His legacy lives on in 2 others ways.

An avid SCUBA diver, he started the department’s Underwater Rescue Team.

Howard Burling in the early years of the Westport Police Department water rescue team.

And Burling designed the Westport Police patch. It’s still worn today.

In 1962 Burling — along with Westport YMCA director Matt Johnson, and Staples High School assistant football coach Chuck Smith — began the summer Road Runner race series. More than 55 years later, it’s still going strong.

Burling is survived by his son Marc of Yorba Linda, California; grandchildren Charlie, Carina and J.D.; daughter-in-law Marlene Burling of Seymour, and sister Jane Fraytet of Charlotte, North Carolina. He was predeceased by his son Ward Burling, and his brothers Charles and Walter.

He is also survived by his ex-wife Emma Burling of Milford. They met in 1955, were married to each other twice, and remained best friends until the end.

He was also close with his ex-wife Beverly Previs of Stratford, with whom he resided for the last 10 years.

Burling will be remembered at a memorial service with military honors on Thursday, June 14 (Milford Christian Church, 989 New Haven Avenue, Milford, 6:30 p.m.).

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Posted in People, Police

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Troop 39 Honors Our Troops

Posted on May 27, 2018 | 6 comments

Yesterday, many Westporters enjoyed the first real day of summer. The start of a holiday weekend saw Compo Beach packed, the roads filled with bicyclists, backyard grills all fired up.

Meanwhile, Boy Scout Troop 39 was busy remembering the real meaning of Memorial Day.

They placed new American flags at the graves of military veterans, and decommissioned worn flags, at 4 local cemeteries: Assumption on Greens Farms Road, Greens Farms Congregational by the Sherwood Island Connector, Willowbrook on Wilton Road, and Christ & Holy Trinity on Kings Highway North.

Scouts at Assumption Cemetery, off Greens Farms Road.

It was definitely a good — no, a great — deed.

If you see Troop 39 at tomorrow’s parade, be sure to give them an extra-proud wave.

Terry and Eamonn Brannigan, with their flags.

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Posted in History, Organizations, Teenagers

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Photo Challenge #178

Posted on May 27, 2018 | 15 comments

Downtown Westport has tons of shortcuts.

You just have to know where to look.

Let’s say you bought a beautiful bedroom set at Design Within Reach (the old post office). But you also need a French press from the new Williams- Sonoma in Bedford Square.

You could cross the Post Road (carefully!), then circle all the way around Patagonia to Church Lane. You could do the same with Sconset Square.

It’s quicker to walk through the small underground parking area next to Westport Pizzeria, or cut straight through Urban Outfitters.

But the really fun way is to take the narrow alleyway between Urban Outfitters and Cotélac. It hides there in plain sight, a direct shot for those who know about it.

Yet maybe no one does. A mural painted — somehow — on the tight wall of Urban Outfitters was last week’s photo challenge. I took it earlier this month. (Click here for the photo. It’s pretty cool, if I do say so myself.)

But are the muralists and I the only people who know about the alley?

Perhaps. Only one person — one! — guessed last Sunday’s photo challenge.

And it took Staples High School senior Nicole Arellano 6 days — all the way until yesterday — to come up with the right answer.

Well done, Nicole. It was worth waiting for!

This week’s photo challenge should be easier.

I hope.

(Photo/Bob Weingarten)

If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.

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Posted in Downtown, Photo Challenge

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A Special Memorial Day Speech

Posted on May 27, 2018 | 13 comments

On Friday, I posted the Stalling family’s 1969 (or ’70) Memorial Day parade video as the weekly “Flashback.” It provided a unique look at Westport’s long-ago, yet timeless, community event.

Yesterday, Ed Stalling sent along another video.

In 1995 — the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II — his father Ed Sr. was grand marshal of Westport’s parade.

The ceremony was moved inside, to Town Hall, because of rain. The auditorium was filled — and silent — as Stalling recounted his service, and the crucial campaigns in Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima.

He wrapped up his remarks with a poignant and powerful reminder of the meaning of Memorial Day.

Here is Ed’s speech. On the eve of this great holiday — as the ranks of our World War II veterans dwindle daily — his words are more important than ever.

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Posted in History, People

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Westport Shoes: Gut Für Das Wasser

Posted on May 27, 2018 | Comments Off on Westport Shoes: Gut Für Das Wasser

Alert “06880” reader Kate Comstock Davis was looking for a local store. She googled “Westport shoes.”

Which brought her to “WestportShoes.com.”

That’s the name of an entire line of boat shoes.

Surprised you’ve never heard of them?

Well, you might have. If you live in Germany.

“Westport Shoes” is based in Munich. Which is why the website proclaims, in somewhat garbled English: “Shoes that walk you to the best places!”

The site adds:

Westport Original boat shoes is an authentic brand that has made significance all over Europe since its establishment 10 years ago. Our shoes are designed for people who love sailing as much as staying stylish. Westport shoes are made of natural and comfortable fabric, making sure no synthetic fabric contacts your feet. The top of the shoes are made of 100% real leather guaranteeing you to feel extremely comfortable taking them on and wearing them all day.

Westport shoes are perfect for every kinds of weather because of the special technique that allows them to let the water out from under the shoe itself. Also the sole of the shoes are designed in a wavy style so you don’t have to worry about the risks of slipping either. The collection contains many styles from classical to modern, in a wide range of colours. You can always count on Westport in finding the shoes perfectly matching your personality, whether you’re looking for functional boat shoes or fashionable footwear.

They sound great! And they look pretty cool too.

Prices range from €79 to €95.

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