News
Op-Ed: VFW Post 653 Celebrates 100th Anniversary
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On a cold night in late February 1921, a handful of young veterans of World War I met in New Canaan Town Hall to organize their newly chartered Veterans of Foreign Wars post. At the time, it was one of the earliest Posts in Connecticut.
A century later, the post, now known as the Howard M. Bossa and Peter C. Langenus Post 653, remains active in promoting and organizing civic and patriotic programs for New Canaan, including organizing and leading the annual Memorial Day Parade and ceremony at Lakeview, Veteran’s Day services at the Wayside Cross on God’s Acre and the placing of flags and wreaths on the almost 1,200 graves of veterans in New Canaan’s many cemeteries.
Today, the post is led by Francis “Mike” McGlinn as commander. Serving with him are Russ Kimes, senior vice commander, John McLane, quartermaster, Aaron Hall, junior vice commander, Brian Vanderheyden, chaplin, and four trustees, Leon Krolikowski, Frank Gallo, John Calitiri, and Paul Sedlak. The post meets at the Masonic Lodge at 231 Main St. on the second Tuesday of each month.