Business & Tech

Remembering the True Meaning of Memorial Day

Civil servants, military men and women deserve our praise today for their efforts to keep us safe.

Last week, we enjoyed a very big win for Middlesex County when the people of Middlefield approved the sale of the Powder Ridge property to Alpine Ridge LLC at a public hearing.  This is a company that has a true vision for what the Powder Ridge property can once again be, and we are fortunate to have them as a new part of our business community.

Two other new businesses in the county were formally welcomed last week at grand opening events on Wednesday and Thursday.  NewChoice Homecare, a medical supply and equipment vendor, celebrated its grand opening at its location on Saybrook Road in Middletown on Wednesday, and Brownstone Bottle Shop held its celebration on Thursday afternoon in Portland. 

Today, though, we celebrate Memorial Day.  Before we throw hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, open our backyard pools, haul our boats to the water, or begin any other activities that we personally associate with Memorial Day, we should all keep in mind the true meaning of this holiday. 

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Today is a time to recognize the servicemen and servicewomen who have fought for this country and have given their lives for this great nation that we live in.  We are truly lucky to have such men and women in our nation, and they are the reason why we are able to enjoy the freedom that we have today.  This freedom is a privilege that we in the United States have, and it certainly came at no small cost; more than one million men and women have given their lives in the effort to protect this very freedom. 

Our founding fathers made immense sacrifices to establish this great nation’s freedom.  All of those who have fought in subsequent wars and conflicts along with those who fight today continue to make sacrifices in the defense of those original ideals.

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Not only these men and women should be commended; our civil servants deserve our gratitude as well.  There are people who make up our police departments, fire departments and emergency first-response units who have given their lives to ensure the safety of the public.  It is because of these sacrifices that our quality of life is so high.  At the end of the day, our freedom is the end result of the personal sacrifice of one person or another. 

One great example of such a civil servant is Middletown Fire Marshal Al Santostefano.  I am very proud of Al for his recent promotion to Fire Marshal last Thursday.  I was honored to attend his swearing-in ceremony and cannot think of a better man for the job. Also, kudos go to Matt Scarrozzo for being named Deputy Fire Marshal.

Today, and every day, the Chamber recognizes those in the U.S. armed forces who have given their lives in conflict.  We also honor members of all other service organizations in our region that are devoted to our veterans.

The Chamber is very honored to have the National Guard, the U.S. Army Middletown Recruiting Station, the U.S. Air Force Recruiting Station, American Legion Post #75, American Legion Post #206, the Council of Jewish War Veterans and the State Office of the American Legion all as members of our organization.  Time and time again, it is these veterans groups that give back to our community.

We are also very proud to have over 50 businesses and individuals in downtown Middletown participating in the Chamber’s Sponsor-A-Flag program.  This program is a great way to for our business community to show patriotism and pride in our country. The Chamber would like to thank the businesses and organizations participating this year. We would also like to give a special thanks to the Middletown Fire Department, who paint the poles and attach the flags, and to the Alarm Division of the City of Middletown who install the flags on Main Street.

The Chamber created the Sponsor-a-Flag program to give organizations and businesses an opportunity to display their support of our troops and help beautify the downtown Middletown area.  Each business donation contributes to the purchase and maintenance of the flags on Main Street.

Once again, please take the time this Memorial Day to honor and support our men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces.  Their service to our country should be praised and commended; they are the true heroes of the United States.  

A great way to honor and support these fine individuals is to get out and enjoy the tremendous parades that are set to take place around the county.  Our municipalities and local organizations put in so much time and effort to organize these festivities, and we should all get out as a community to enjoy them and celebrate the day. 

This week there are some other great events going on at the Chamber like the Chamber’s Real Estate Luncheon on Thursday at Angelico’s Lakehouse Restaurant from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  We expect over 75 of the county’s top realtors at the event, and we will also present Beth DiLoreto of Prudential Connecticut Realty with the 2011 Mary Ellen Klinck Realtor of the Year Award at the luncheon. 

The next day, our mentors from the Middletown Mentor Program along with their mentees will get together for the annual mentor picnic on the grounds of Connecticut Valley Hospital at 11 a.m.  This event is a celebration of the end of the school year for the mentees and the great people from our community who serve as their mentors.  Hal Kaplan, a fantastic man, has  dedicated his time to this program for years and years, and we are reminded how great of a program it is every year at this event. 

If any downtown Middletown business is interested in sponsoring a flag for the celebrations of Flag Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day, please contact Cathy Duncan at the Chamber at (860) 347-6924.


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