Community Organizations

Reminder: Still Time to Drop Off Damaged, Worn American Flags for Proper Disposal

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When American flags get damaged, they’re supposed to be retired — and when they’re ripped, faded, tattered, torn and otherwise unsightly, it’s time to dispose of them in a proper, respectful manner. So state Rep. Terrie Wood, Darien VFW Post No. 6933 (at 205 Noroton Ave.), Darien Library and Darien Town Hall are sponsoring a collection of Old Glories that are too indisposed for display. You can drop them off any time between May 26 and June 14 at three locations around town. Keep in mind that with patriotic holidays coming up — Memorial Day, Monday, May 29 and the Fourth of July five weeks later (not to mention Flag Day on June 14), you might want a finer flag flapping on your flagpole.

Holidays
Wreaths Memorial Day 2017 05-29-17

Darien Observes Memorial Day 2017 as Planned (Mostly)

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Darien’s Memorial Day Parade, as announced, wasn’t canceled because of a little rain (and as it turned out, it hardly sprinkled), but the traditional ceremony and speech honoring those who died for our country took place indoors at Darien Library for the second year in a row.  

The parade consisted of town officials, uniformed firefighters and police, lines of fire trucks (including at least one with a horn that seemed like it could pierce an ear drum, especially when it was let loose under the Interstate 95 overpass), mothers waving with their Girl Scout daughters, fathers in headdresses with their children in the YMCA Indian Guides and Princesses program, veterans, children dance studio dancers, karate practitioners, and Connecticut National Guard members — who pitched in at one point to provide a little service to the town. Phil Kraft, chairman of the town Monuments and Ceremonies Commission, gave the Memorial Day speech, talking about not just the sacrifice of warriors, but the history of inadequate care the country has given its veterans. As far back as the American Revolution, he said, veterans went home after serving in the Continental Army to find their homes had been seized for nonpayment of taxes. After World War I, veterans who demanded the benefits that had been promised to them marched on Washington, their protest forcefully broken up by Generals McArthur, Eisenhower and Patton, who would lead the next generation of soldiers in World War II.

Holidays

Memorial Day Parade Kicks Off at 10 AM Monday Downtown

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The Annual Town of Darien Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday. May 29, 2017. As in past years, the parade route runs from Goodwives Shopping Center on Old Kings Highway North, up Brookside Road out to the Boston Post Road and ends at the Veterans Cemetery located at Post Road and Hecker Ave. The parade steps off promptly at 10 a.m.

Drivers can expect delays in the downtown area between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. as the Post Road will be closed to all traffic for the safety of participants and spectators, Darien police announced. There will be a Memorial Day ceremony held at the Veteran’s Cemetery at the conclusion of the parade and the annual Post 53 Food Fair will be held in Tilley Pond Park; All Memorial Day events are rain or shine.

Holidays
Ned Goodnow Edward Goodnow 05-19-17

Darien Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshal Announced: Ned Goodnow

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Ned Goodnow, a longtime resident of Darien who received a Purple Heart as a combat infantryman in World War II, will lead Darien’s Memorial Day parade as grand marshal. The Darien Monuments and Ceremonies Commission named Goodnow to the honor in an announcement Friday morning. Phil Kraft, executive director of the National Veterans Services Fund and chairman of the commission, was named the Memorial Day speaker. Here’s the announcement about Goodnow:

Edward B. (“Ned”) Goodnow of Darien, who earned a Purple Heart as a combat infantryman in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II, will lead the town’s Memorial Day parade as its grand marshal. Ned Goodnow is a native of Norwich.

Holidays
Phil Kraft Phillip Kraft thumbnail 05-19-17

Darien Memorial Day Speaker Announced: Phil Kraft

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This year’s Darien Memorial Day speaker will be Phillip R. Kraft, a Vietnam veteran, the head of the National Veterans Services Fund Inc. in Darien, a longtime member of the Darien Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and a member of the town Monuments and Ceremonies Commission. The commission announced Kraft as the speaker for this year’s Memorial Day observance on Monday, May 29, which takes place right after the Memorial Day parade. “Phil Kraft will speak during the Ceremony held in Spring Grove Veterans’ Cemetery directly following the Parade, which steps off from Goodwives Shopping Center at 10 a.m. sharp,” the commission said in a statement attached to its announcement. The commission also announced that the parade’s grand marshal will be Ned Goodnow. “The Monuments and Ceremonies of the Town of Darien and the Darien Parade Committee Chairman, Sara Zagrodzky are honored to have these men participating.”