Veterans Day Celebrated in Farmington

An annual tradition, Veterans Day 2011 started with a breakfast at The Gables, which honored resident and community veterans.

Lorren Pogson, Commander of VFW Post 1036 explained, "Each year we have a wonderful breakfast with the residents and we are all in good company. Some, like many of our own, don't want to verbalize their memories as it brings too much pain to do so. Though our combat experiences may vary, we all understand one another. No volume of words can replace that innate brotherhood and we need not say anything for comfort lies therein.”

Noreen Washburn, Executive Director of The Gables at Farmington thanked the veterans and their families for their sacrifices and read a statement from  Brookdale Senior Living’s CEO Bill Sheriff.

“Each year on Veterans Day, we are reminded that our freedom as a nation is a privilege that has been secured again and again by the brave men and women who have served in America’s Armed Forces…And so on this November 11th, as we do every year, all Americans are called upon to remember, to honor, and to bid sincere thanks to all our veterans for our continued freedom and independence as a nation.”

As each of the veterans was acknowledged, they shared their service background.

Acting VFW Post 1036 Commander Tim Pachnieski, a Vietnam veteran whose son will deploy to Afghanistan next week, then led the group to the Veterans Memorial in front of Town Hall for the annual Veterans Day observance.

“Today, we have the opportunity to express our gratitude to the men and women who have done their duty to the nation through military service” Pachnieski said. “Every American, no matter where they live, or what they do, reaps the benefit of their service. In celebrating Veterans Day, we help to honor the guiding principles of the founding fathers of this nation – we look to today’s generation of great patriots and those of the past and contemplate the courage of the relative few to whom we owe so much.” 

“Even today as we speak, thousands of our best and brightest are deployed to all corners of the world, in defense of the freedoms our veterans have earned us. We pray for their safe return and stand ready to support their families while they are away,” he added.

All military personnel, past or present, with a valid military ID or documents can stop by Wood-N-Tap, 1274 Farmington Ave, (860) 773-OPEN (860-773-6736) on Veterans day for a free draft beer or appetizer.

“We want to be able to honor our troops in any way we can. We understand the hardships that these fine men, women, and their families have had to endure. This is just one opportunity for us to show our true appreciation and to say, "Thank You" for your service! ” said Al Ferranti, a partner in Hartford Restaurant Group and US Air Force Veteran.