A Community Saluting Our Veterans

Memorial Day was first enacted in 1866 to honor Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War.  It was extended after World War I to honor all Americans who have died in all wars.

Our town of Windsor Locks, like so many small towns across America, will celebrate Memorial Day this year with a parade and speeches.  The parade route traditionally comes down Spring Street, turns down Main Street and finishes at Memorial Hall. 

Last year I filmed the Memorial Day Parade and made a video to celebrate and honor our hometown Veterans. http://youtu.be/zPeIrtwh6B0  

I remember a silver convertible passing by, and the veteran in the passenger seat giving me a wave and a huge smile.  His enthusiasm was so contagious; I lifted my head up from behind the camera and waved back (ruining the shot).  I couldn’t help but to laugh because that’s the kind of man Phil Giannelli was.  He always had a smile and a friendly word for you whenever he saw you. 

This year, my Memorial Day will be sad because our town lost many veterans since last years parade, including Phil Giannelli.

 If you decide to come out to and celebrate our veterans this year at the Windsor Locks Memorial Day Parade on May 30th and want to be a part of this year's Memorial Day Video, please send a photo of you and your family doing something patriotic at home, your business, or at the parade to savewindsorlocks@gmail.com by June 1st 2011.  I will do my best to get you in the video.