FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: COMMUNITY EVENTS, CALENDAR
Contact: Col. Bob Fodero, USA (Ret), committee chair,
NEW HAVEN, CONN (May 9, 2016)—New Haven’s 148th Memorial Day observance will feature two wreath-laying ceremonies and a free patriotic concert, on Sunday, May 29, 2016.
Decorated Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Sorrentino (Ret.) of the Connecticut Air National Guard is the featured speaker at both ceremonies. With deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, Europe and the Arabian Gulf, and a nearly three-decade-long career, LTC Sorrentino has witnessed the chaos of war as an air battle manager in multiple conflicts.
At 1:00 p.m. at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park on Long Wharf Drive will be a wreath-laying ceremony by the 11-foot-high, V-shaped monument. Col. Kenneth Gertz (Ret.) is the master of ceremonies, Joanne Papapietro the soloist, and MSG Clifford Potter (Ret.) will recite the Soldiers’ Prayer.
At 3:00 p.m. at the World War Memorial Flagpole on the New Haven Green, New Haven Mayor Toni Harp will address the ceremony and Rev. Kevin Atkins will offer a prayer of remembrance. Ruth Rosa is the soloist and Peter Cannon will play Taps to close out both ceremonies.
Switching gears, at 5:00 p.m. at the John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts (501 Crescent St., New Haven) on the Southern Connecticut State University campus, will be a FREE patriotic concert featuring Orchestra New England (orchestranewengland.org). To reserve your free tickets, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: New Haven Memorial Day Concert, City of New Haven, 165 Church St. New Haven, CT 06510 Attn: Patricia Lawlor. Or FAX (203-946-2998). Questions call (203-946-8200).
