Boy Scouts, Civitan Club plan May 6 events

TORRINGTON >> Civitan Club and Boy Scouts of Torrington are planning a tribute to fallen veterans at Coe Memorial Park on Saturday, May 6 at 10 a.m.

The ceremony will include presentation of colors, Pledge of Allegiance, invocation, reading of “Ragged Old Flag,” and comments by local veterans and dignitaries.

In closing, Taps will be played followed by a Three Volley salute. The public, enlisted military and veterans are welcomed to attend.

Immediately following the ceremony, Boy Scouts and leaders will team up with Civitan Club members to visit area cemeteries where new U.S. flags will be placed on graves of our fallen local veterans. This is the first year the Boy Scouts and Civitan Club are collaborating in this special tribute.

Flag placement honors those who served in the nation’s armed services and are now laid to rest. In previous years, Civitan Club members have placed small U.S. flags in several local cemeteries prior to Memorial Day weekend. The club purchases flags with money raised from various fundraisers held throughout the year and from donations to their “Flag Fund” from veterans and their families in the community. Hillside, New and Old St. Francis, St. Peter’s and Center cemeteries and a few smaller ones are among those visited. Flags are tagged with a small label which designates installation by Civitan Club and the mailing address for donations.

High winds and winter weather are especially damaging to the flags. At this time, about 1,500 new flags are on hand. However, an estimated 3,000 flags would potentially need to be replaced.

Civitan Club is asking local businesses and individuals for their support in honoring our fallen hometown heroes by sending a donation to: Torrington Civitan Club Flag Fund, P.O. Box 32, Torrington CT 06790.

For more information, contact Theresa Carr, Civitan Secretary at 860-307-0269.