The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
New signs point to areas honoring vets
MIDDLETOWN — Travelers passing along Washington Street/Route 66 in the area of Old Mill Road may have noticed the appearance of a trio of new brown signs pointing the way to three facilities with ties to veterans.
State Sen. Matt Lesser, DMiddletown, and state Rep. Quentin Phipps, DMiddletown, participated in a highway sign unveiling ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday.
Lesser was instrumental in getting brandnew signs installed alerting motorists of Veterans Memorial Park, the Connecticut Trees of Honor Memorial and the Greater Middletown Military Museum, according to a press release.
“I am pleased to see these signs unveiled, as they will increase visits at these important locations in our community,” Lesser said in a prepared statement. “We are forever grateful for the sacrifices of the men and women who gave their lives for this country and our freedom.
“Veterans Memorial Park, the Connecticut Trees of Honor Memorial and the Greater Middletown Military Museum are not only educational tools, but also serve as a showing of our community’s deep respect and gratitude for our nation’s heroes,” Lesser said.
The sign unveiling coincided with the Run for the Fallen, a 65K run at Veterans Memorial Park. The 65 kilometers is run in remembrance of the 65 service members killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, according to the release.
“The newly installed signs will definitely bring attention to these three sites that honor the sacrifices and heroism of those who have given their all for the freedoms we enjoy today,” Phipps said in the release.
“I am forever grateful to our veterans and their families for their service to our state and country.”
Other lawmakers who helped to make this a reality also expressed their gratitude for our state veterans and active duty members and added these signs will be beneficial to the park, memorial and museum.
Sue Martucci, founder and president of the Connecticut Trees of Honor Memorial, said, “We have already heard of folks coming to the park who either didn’t know it existed or didn’t know about the museum and Trees of Honor Memorial.
“The signs will go a long way to help increase awareness and visits to the newest additions to Veterans Memorial Park.”
The Connecticut Trees of Honor Memorial was dedicated Sept. 17, 2016, to honor the lives of the 65 men and women from Connecticut killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Trees of Honor are located in Veterans Memorial Park and features a unique living tree design and memorial sculptures, providing a space to reflect, remember and learn more about our state’s fallen heroes, according to the release.
The Greater Middletown Military Museum is a tribute to American veterans, providing them with a space to tell their stories through memorabilia.
The museum was the brainchild of a group of local Vietnam War veterans who began holding meetings in 2002 to plan it.
The museum had its grand opening April 13.