By Frances Wilson
At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 2024, New Canaan’s VFW Post 653, officially known as Howard M. Bossa and Peter C. Langenus Post 653 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, will lead the annual Veteran’s Day ceremony to honor and commemorate the service of military veterans at the Wayside Cross at the bottom of God’s Acre.
Veteran’s Day is distinct from Memorial Day in May which honors those who died while serving in the military. The date and time of the commemoration of Veterans Day links back to Armistice Day, the date
that marked the end of World War I. To honor those who served, New Canaan’s VFW Post 653 placed 400 flags on God’s Acre just above the Wayside Cross on Saturday, November 2th, with the assistance of the Young Americans for Freedom Club members Ethan Aronson and Andrew Moor along with their Co-advisors Kristine Goldhawk, and Hsuan-hui Wang, as well as Tom Peter.
In addition to the VFW, various town officials and the Daughters’ of the American Revolution (DAR) will participate in the ceremony. First Selectman Dionna Carlson will introduce the keynote speaker, Rich Mercado. The ceremony will commence at 10:55am with Lylah Spring and Charlotte Hanover, a New Canaan High School duo known as “Echo Taps”, performing taps on bugles.
Rich started his career in catalog direct marketing in 1963 filling mail orders for the Fishing Tackle Department at the Abercrombie & Fitch Company. He rose to the position of Corporate Buyer/Manager in the Outdoor Products Division for both catalog and retail marketing. Rich joined the Brookstone company in 1973 as a Product Manager introducing new products for the Brookstone Catalog. He also conceived and produced the Brookstone Retail Store concept as well as opened the first Brookstone store.
Rich continued his career in catalog direct marketing at Abbey Press. As Marketing Director his team was responsible for the Catalog Marketing, Circulation and the production of the Abbey Press Gift Catalog.
For the last 14 years Rich has been Vice President in the List Management division of Direct Media, Inc. He specializes in Catalog and Direct Mail lists. His clients are some of the best known names in the industry. Rich has been Vice Chairmen for the Catalog Council, a frequent speaker at DMA sponsored events, a teacher for the List Leaders Basic Training and the Founder and Advisor for the Catalog Group.
A U.S. Army Veteran, Rich graduated U.S. Army School of Engineering, and served in Vietnam as a helicopter Crew Chief, and was honorably discharged. In addition, Rich has served as a Marine Patrol Officer, Park Ranger and a School Security Officer. Rich and his family have lived in New Canaan for over 35 years.
Mike McGlinn, Commander of VFW Post 653, commented, “Veterans Day is a great day to celebrate and honor all the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces, living or deceased, through out the history of this great country. We come together as a community in New Canaan to pay tribute and thank all veterans for their years of service protecting the freedom we all enjoy.”
