Encampment set for Aug. 12 in Middletown

MIDDLETOWN » When the alarm went out from Lexington on April 19, 1775, after the first skirmish with British troops at the start of the Revolutionary War, the men of Middletown answered the call. Captain Return Jonathan Meigs led 55 men and Lieutenant Amos Hosford led 16 men on a march to aid their fellow colonists. Captain Comfort Sage headed a troop of horse from Middletown that included a chaplain, other officers and 43 privates.

Soon, more permanent regiments were formed to wage the war, with the 6th Connecticut Regiment, Continental Line, being formed in New Haven and Middletown in January 1777 with Meigs and William Douglas of Northford as its colonels. The regiment included many Middletown men including some of African descent.

On Saturday, Aug. 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., modern-day re-enactors of the 6th Connecticut Regiment will stage an encampment in the Mansfield House backyard. They portray soldiers and camp followers and will demonstrate musket firing and the manual of arms as written by Baron von Steuben.

A camp follower will discuss medicines of the era and the soldiers will engage visitors in discussions about the war. The “Kiddie Drill” will allow youngsters to learn the manual of arms using wooden muskets.

At 11 a.m., Professor Richard Buel will explore both Middletown’s contribution to the revolutionary movement and the way the town was changed by its experience of those years.

Buel was educated at Amherst College and Harvard University before teaching American History at Wesleyan University for 40 years. He is the author of six books dealing with the Revolutiony era, including Dear Liberty: Connecticut’s Mobilization for the Revolutionary War, parts of which touch directly on Middletown’s experience in the Revolution.

The Mansfield House at 151 Main St. is the headquarters of the Middlesex County Historical Society.

The society’s current awardwinning exhibit, “A Vanished Port: Middletown & the Caribbean, 1750-1824,” will also be available for viewing.

Admission for this event is $5, free for 12 and under.

The Mansfield House is handicap accessible, and further information is available by calling 860-346-0746.

‘When War Comes Home’ documentary to be shown

HARTFORD » For many servicemen and women, their physical injuries may heal but their mental and emotional wounds do not.

An estimated 22 veterans commit suicide every day, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

However, new innovative treatments are proving successful in getting veterans’ lives back on track, when more standard methods are not working.

The documentary “When War Comes Home” showcasing four personal stories will be shown 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, at Torp Theatre, Central Connecticut State University, 1615 Stanley St., New Britain.

The movie also examines the secondary impact on spouses and children.

Veterans, families and healthcare workers are all encouraged to attend this free event sponsored by Hartford HealthCare at Home.

“When War Comes Home” follows four American service members who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and who are now suffering from “invisible wounds” — post-traumatic stress/traumatic brain injury.

The four main subjects begin to move ahead to recovery through life-changing treatments at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, an institute of the Department of Defense.

One successful approach has been animal-assisted therapy with specially trained service dogs.

Other treatments offered at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence include art and music therapy, yoga, meditation and more.

The positive outcomes have enabled veterans and their families to heal.