A town honors the heroic dead

KENT — Hundreds of people — including veterans and other town residents — took part in the annual Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 31.

The parade also included the Kent Fire Department, the town’s Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Brownie Scouts and the Kent Center School marching band.

Marine veteran Jim Hart of Gaylordsville served in 1990-91 during operation Desert Shield.

“I’m just here to pay homage to fallen warriors,� Hart said. “Serving in the military was the best years of my life. It was great.�

Marine veteran Bill Case of Kent said it was an honor to serve the country.

“This parade is the best we can do for fallen brothers and comrades,� Case said. “It is a very emotional and sad day.�

The parade route included stops at St. Andrew’s Cemetery, the Congregational Cemetery and the Veterans Memorial on Route 341, which was built last year.

At the memorial, World War II veteran Bob Bauer addressed the crowd.

“Again, our nation is assembled to honor its heroic dead,� Bauer said. “Because of them, our lives are free. Because of them, our nation lives. When peril threatened and their country called, with divine self-sacrifice, they left their lives of peace and went straight to arms. They fought for us, and for us they fell.�

When the parade stopped in front of the Kent Memorial Library, First Selectman Bruce Adams read the names of Kent veterans who died in military battle.

Two F-15 airplanes from the Massachusetts Air National Guard conducted several flyovers during the parade. State Rep. Mary Ann Carson (R-108), who participated in the parade, called it an amazing sight.

“When I saw them fly over I said, ‘Thank God they are friendly,’� she said. “This day is for those who gave their lives, that’s what I think it’s all about. When I think about all the political battles I have dealt with in Hartford, it is nothing compared to their sacrifices.�

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