The Soldiers' Monument Commission release a newsletter on our website
every May and November to acquaint our friends and visitors to behind-
the-scenes happenings. We offer the latest in the current research of
Winchester in the Civil War and of the ongoing research on our
Monument and Park dedicated to those brave men who answered the call of their nation.
In addition, we will update you on our upcoming events, describe past events, occasionally issue requests for volunteers and let you know how you can help us in our continuing mission of preserving the Soldiers' Monument and Memorial Park for future generations.
In this issue you will find:
1.cover letter and request for info on Soldiers' Monument Tree Lighting Ceremony
2.. a note from our historic interpreter, Deb Kessler, about the 2013 Cemetery Walk
3.. an article regarding ongoing research bringing life to the names on the
monument- this segment on Emancipation,
4. a letter from a Civil War soldier from Winchester describing his participation in the battle at Antietam,
5. and a summation of 2013, a description of our 2014 Special Upcoming Events that are currently under discussion, and a teaser regarding our 2015 celebration to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the end of the war as well as the 125th anniversary of the dedication of the monument
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TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY INFO REQUESTED
According to veteran Soldiers’ Monument Commission member, Jack
Bourque, the first Christmas lights were put on the monument by nearby resident Don Kolosky. He thinks it occurred in the mid 1970s since he does remember writing about it as a reporter for The Courant in the 70s. He further stated that “over the years, we have had Santa visit the monument and held an open house for children.”
He reminisced about one year holding an official lighting of the tree ceremony, “the fire department truck – I think it was the ladder truck – brought up Santa to the monument. We conducted this lighting in conjunction with the Recreation Department. When Santa arrived he “flipped the switch” that turned on the lights on top. Then he sat in a chair inside the monument near the fireplace and children came in one at a time, sat on his knee in the traditional way, parents took pictures and then as the child left the monument, they were given a small gift. It was a beautiful opportunity to use the monument and tree lighting. What I also recall was it was also difficult for the fire department’s truck to do the turn around and of course parking was difficult. I believe we did this on the Friday after Thanksgiving.” He added “maybe others have more recollection about this, but I think we only did it one year; I don’t recall why it wasn’t continued.”
The Soldiers’ Monument Commission would like to re-start this event in
2014. Does anyone have any memories or photos of the past event(s)? If so, we would be grateful if you would share your stories/photos with
us.
Please send or email any info to:
Soldiers’ Monument Commission
P.O. Box 322
Winsted, CT 06098
www.soldiersmonumentwinsted.org
Our tree on the top of the monument will be lit this year shortly after Thanksgiving and will remain lit at night for the duration of the holiday season.
every May and November to acquaint our friends and visitors to behind-
the-scenes happenings. We offer the latest in the current research of
Winchester in the Civil War and of the ongoing research on our
Monument and Park dedicated to those brave men who answered the call of their nation.
In addition, we will update you on our upcoming events, describe past events, occasionally issue requests for volunteers and let you know how you can help us in our continuing mission of preserving the Soldiers' Monument and Memorial Park for future generations.
In this issue you will find:
1.cover letter and request for info on Soldiers' Monument Tree Lighting Ceremony
2.. a note from our historic interpreter, Deb Kessler, about the 2013 Cemetery Walk
3.. an article regarding ongoing research bringing life to the names on the
monument- this segment on Emancipation,
4. a letter from a Civil War soldier from Winchester describing his participation in the battle at Antietam,
5. and a summation of 2013, a description of our 2014 Special Upcoming Events that are currently under discussion, and a teaser regarding our 2015 celebration to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the end of the war as well as the 125th anniversary of the dedication of the monument
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY INFO REQUESTED
According to veteran Soldiers’ Monument Commission member, Jack
Bourque, the first Christmas lights were put on the monument by nearby resident Don Kolosky. He thinks it occurred in the mid 1970s since he does remember writing about it as a reporter for The Courant in the 70s. He further stated that “over the years, we have had Santa visit the monument and held an open house for children.”
He reminisced about one year holding an official lighting of the tree ceremony, “the fire department truck – I think it was the ladder truck – brought up Santa to the monument. We conducted this lighting in conjunction with the Recreation Department. When Santa arrived he “flipped the switch” that turned on the lights on top. Then he sat in a chair inside the monument near the fireplace and children came in one at a time, sat on his knee in the traditional way, parents took pictures and then as the child left the monument, they were given a small gift. It was a beautiful opportunity to use the monument and tree lighting. What I also recall was it was also difficult for the fire department’s truck to do the turn around and of course parking was difficult. I believe we did this on the Friday after Thanksgiving.” He added “maybe others have more recollection about this, but I think we only did it one year; I don’t recall why it wasn’t continued.”
The Soldiers’ Monument Commission would like to re-start this event in
2014. Does anyone have any memories or photos of the past event(s)? If so, we would be grateful if you would share your stories/photos with
us.
Please send or email any info to:
Soldiers’ Monument Commission
P.O. Box 322
Winsted, CT 06098
www.soldiersmonumentwinsted.org
Our tree on the top of the monument will be lit this year shortly after Thanksgiving and will remain lit at night for the duration of the holiday season.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sit back and enjoy the newsletter. Come
back to our web-site often for updates... and....think Spring!
See you in 2014!
Sit back and enjoy the newsletter. Come
back to our web-site often for updates... and....think Spring!
See you in 2014!
