Military Tribute in Connecticut
American Valor Military Tribute in Connecticut
American Valor noticed this story recently in the Connecticut Post online. I believe it is so typical of a growing sentiment of our “great silent majority” that we so often speak of here. These proud folks talk and act in support of building a permanent military tribute to their loved ones, their sons and daughters and friends serving overseas. They speak of them proudly”They dodged bullets, survived bombings, provided security in war zones and treacherous terrain, and helped the rebuilding efforts in strife-torn Afghanistan and Iraq.
To recognize Monroe residents’ service in the wars, two local mothers of servicemen are organizing plans to set up an “honor board” listing the names of the men and women from town who have served in America’s military forces deployed in the conflicts. Meg Krasko and Miriam Zalenski hope the plaque can be in place at Town Hall in time for the Nov. 11 observance of Veteran’s Day. The project is receiving support from soldiers who have returned from the war zones, as well as families whose relatives are now in harm’s way.
“Personally, I’m not a glory fiend, but I’ll try to help out,” Nathan Starr, a sergeant in the National Guard who lives in Monroe, said about the plaque. “I went to Afghanistan in January 2006 and served 15 months. I’ll be going back in 2010 or sooner.”
Starr said he takes pride in how his battalion provided security for construction projects including a hospital, a school, a police station and a road while deployed in Afghanistan.
“We worked well together. We connected like a family,” Starr said. “We didn’t have to fire a round in self defense.”
He remembered in particular helping to protect a crew that was building a school and, after it was complete, watching children attend their first classes.
“I absolutely will support the plaque. It will give the soldiers recognition,” said Cal Crouch, whose son Ian, an Army sergeant, served a 14-month hitch in Iraq and has been in Afghanistan since February, “It will be good for the town to know what its sons and daughters have been doing.”
“My son is coming home on leave for three weeks at the end of this month. We’ve have a Thanksgiving dinner for him in early November before he goes back,” he said.
Crouch said that not long ago he had his son’s name inscribed on a brick used for the war memorial in front of Town Hall.
George King’s son David, an Air Force captain and meteorologist, served tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan where his responsibilities included weather briefings for helicopter squadrons.
“The plaque is a good idea,” the senior King said. “My son is a very low-key guy, but I’d be happy to have his name on it.”
Two sons of Henry and Martha Booth are serving in Iraq — Shawn, a specialist fourth class in the Army, and Michael, in a Navy construction unit.
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