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New Canaan’s VFW Post To Celebrate Veterans Day Nov. 11

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At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 2024, New Canaan’s VFW Post 653—officially known as Howard M. Bossa and Peter C. Langenus Post 653 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States—will lead the annual Veterans Day ceremony to honor and commemorate military veterans at the Wayside Cross on God’s Acre. Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day in May, which honors those who died while serving in the military. The date and time of the commemoration of Veterans Day links back to Armistice Day, the date

that marked the end of World War I. To honor those who served, New Canaan’s VFW Post 653 placed 400 flags on God’s Acre just above the Wayside Cross on Saturday, Nov. 2, with the assistance of the Young Americans for Freedom Club members Ethan Aronson and Andrew Moor along with their co-advisors Kristine Goldhawk, Hsuan-hui Wang and Tom Peter. In addition to the VFW, various town officials and the Hannah Benedict Carter Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will participate in the ceremony.

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VFW Seeks Volunteers and Donations for Flag Placing at Lakeview Cemetery

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Volunteers are wanted to assist VFW Post 653 in New Canaan to place new flags at the graves of fallen soldiers in their honor for Memorial Day.  

All are welcome to participate on Saturday, May 18, from 8am to 10am at the Lakeview Cemetery on Main Street in New Canaan. Please gather using the Lakeview Avenue entrance, the VFW tent will be straight ahead and there is ample parking down to the right. 

Refreshments will be served. Last year, the VFW removed the flags it had placed, so that these flags may be reused for this year. Removing the flags, is following proper flag etiquette and protocol established at Arlington Cemetery, and of course, has the added benefit of reusing flags, thereby reducing waste and conserving funds. 

Removing flags is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, June 8 at 8am, but unlike flag placement, is weather-dependent. Memorial poppies will be available for any donation made to New Canaan VFW Post 653 the Saturday and Sunday of May 18 and 19 and of Memorial Day weekend at several New Canaan businesses (ACME, Dunkin Donuts, Walter Stewart’s Market and Zumbach’s).

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VFW Seeks Volunteers and Donations for Wreath Laying at Lakeview Cemetery [UPDATED]

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[Note: This article has been updated to show that volunteers are asked to enter Lakeview Cemetery from the Lakeview Avenue entrance across from the Avalon apartments.]

Volunteers are wanted to assist VFW Post 653 in New Canaan to lay wreaths at the graves of deceased veterans at Lakeview Cemetery in order to honor and remember their service.  

All are welcome to participate on Saturday, November 25, from 8 a.m. to 10 .m. at the Lakeview Cemetery on Main Street in New Canaan. Volunteers are asked to enter from Lakeview Avenue across from the Avalon apartments where they will find the VFW tent and ample parking off to the right in the large gravel area. The annual effort is supported financially by the New Canaan Exchange Club, which provides the wreaths at cost, money raised from poppy sales over Memorial Day weekend and private donations. Post 653 uses fundraising proceeds to pay for wreaths and flags that are laid during the Christmas season and on Memorial Day on all known veterans’ graves at Lakeview and other cemeteries in New Canaan.

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New Canaan’s VFW Post 653 To Mark Veterans Day on Friday

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At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, New Canaan’s VFW Post 653, officially known as Howard M. Bossa and Peter C. Langenus Post 653 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, will lead the annual Veterans Day ceremony to honor and commemorate the service of military veterans at the Wayside Cross and the bottom of God’s Acre. 

Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day in May which honors those who died while serving in the military. The date and time of the commemoration of Veterans Day link back to Armistice Day, which marked the end of World War I.  To honor those who served, New Canaan’s VFW Post placed 600 flags on God’s Acre just above the Wayside Cross on Saturday, November 6th, with the assistance of boy scouts from BSA Troop 45. This year’s Veterans Day ceremony will include comments from Ms. Caroline Sparico, Vice Regent of the Hannah Benedict Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and our guest speaker, Col Jeffrey Erickson, the Director of the Army Cyber Institute at the United States Military Academy (USMA) located at West Point. Col. Erickson will provide remarks on the importance of Veterans Day in linking past generations with future Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines.

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Notice: VFW Plans Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony [UPDATED]

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[Note: This article has been updated with new information regarding the parade and fundraising efforts of the local VFW.]

The Town of New Canaan and the Howard M. Bossa and Peter C. Langenus Post 653 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States are pleased to announce plans for a traditional New Canaan Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 30th, and Memorial Day Ceremony following the parade at Lakeview Cemetery. Each year we gather to remember with gratitude and honor the proud men and women who gave their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces to protect and preserve a life of freedom for all Americans. All residents are invited to attend the parade and ceremony. This year’s parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s Church on Oenoke Ridge Road and returns to its former route on lower Main Street.