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New Canaan residents and small business owners Elsa and Jay Zerrusen recently donated customized wooden flags to New Canaan’s fire and police departments.
The owners of Colonial Craft Laser and Woodwork (formerly Bella Accenti) – a local business specializing in personalized engraved items — the Zerrusens moved to New Canaan in 2018 and since then have been active in the community, both as business owners and citizens.
“We are very grateful for the community of New Canaan, both toward the first responders and the residents themselves,” Jay Zerrusen said.
As a way to express their gratitude for the firefighters and police officers, the couple donated 48-by-25-inch custom flags for the respective department buildings.
“I created one flag for the firehouse and another for the police department in recognition of their service to the community and town,” Jay Zerrusen said.
The flag designed for the firehouse displays a thin red line that represents support for the dedication and mission of firefighters here in town, and across the nation.
Fire Chief Albe Bassett said that for him, “the flag represents patriotism and support of the fire service across the United States.”
“It’s a great addition to the firehouse,” he said.
For Jay Zerrusen, the flag represents the common ground of love of country “in this very volatile political climate.”
The new thin red line flag is proudly showcased above the threshold into the firehouse’s alarm room, Bassett said.
“We chose to display the flag in a location that both our members and the public would be able to see when they enter the building from the front,” he said.
To the other first responders in town, Jay Zerrusen said, “If there is anything they want, as far as customization of products, definitely reach out to us.”
Colonial Craft is available on instagram and facebook @colonialcraftlw.