| JUNE 6, 2010 -- The April meeting of Stonington Grange was a special evening for the community as they honored six Stonington residents who, as members of the local National Guard unit, served oversees in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq at various times.
Friends and family were present as each shared stories of their experiences in the Middle East. One told of how the military had turned his life around and from a high-school dropout with no direction he became a successful contractor in civilian life. Coincidentally one of his high-school teachers was an awards presenter and testified to this.
A husband and wife who met two weeks before deployed to Iraq, told of how he served with her father! The father was one of the Grange honorees. Others told of leaving family for a year and how the community helped support their loved ones. Another is currently serving as an volunteer General Manager for the Connecticut College radio station. He publicizes local events of families oversees, and also has helped by installing and ramp and roof for a fellow soldier he served with, in conjunction with other soldiers. Another told of how he proposed while he was overseas to his now wife. Those present also heard of the uncomfortable conditions of being deployed.
A surprise for the evening was when those in attendance found out that each of the five branches of our military was represented by someone in the hall. It was a very informative evening, full of surprises by persons who have served, each with their very own story.
Stonington Grange Lecturer Deborah Barnes introduced each honoree individually at the altar with a short biography, then Connecticut State Grange Lecturer Marge Bernhardt, a member of CHeshire Grange, presented the award from Stonington Grange followed by Stonington 1st Selectman Ed Habereck, and 2nd Selectman George Krause who each presented citations from the town.
Following the recognitions, the full hall of attendees were highly entertained by John Banker, a master entertainer with a huge array of novelty, folk, inspirational and patriotic songs. Every toe was tapping and every face was smiling as his keyboard came alive. Stonington Grange was very well represented to their guests that evening, and wish to thank all who participated in the evening.
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