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Veterans Day holiday honors all those who have served the United States in a military uniform.
Participants in Yesterday’s Veterans Day Celebration
Veterans Day began as Armistice Day, on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I: on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
Yesterday was no different here in Greenwich Connecticut and probably for most cities around the country. A parade, a few classic cars, some older veterans, a few soldiers in uniform and a ceremony to follow an a placing of a wreath. In Greenwich, it was produced by the American Legion Post 29. Here is a video of the parede on Greenwich Avenue.
From the Instagram Page of greenwich_moms
America’s 250th
This year we have celebrated the 250th anniversaries of our main branches of military. • U.S. Army: Celebrated its 250th birthday on June 14, 2025.
• U.S. Navy: Celebrated its 250th birthday on October 13, 2025.
• U.S. Marine Corps: Celebrated its birthday on November 10, 2025.
Next Year America celebrates 250 years since our declaration of independence on July 4, 1776.
The Decline in Support for Military and America - Where are our youth?
Unfortunately, attendance at these Veterans and Memorial Day Events is dwindling. The parades, except in massive cities, are quite small. There is almost no engagement or attendance by school age children who are on holiday to honor those who served and their parents are not much better. At yesterday’s ceremony, there was not a single person under the age of 35. There might have been a few at the parade.
Peter Le Beau, Commander of American Legion Post 29, gave a solemn speech to the reality of service to this nation which is becoming less grateful for those who serve and those who sacrifice to defend and protect our Constitution and our American way of life. He explained they are going homeless and veteran suicide you know how it occurs at a rate of 22 per day.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s January 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) count estimated 32,882 veterans were experiencing homelessness on a single night.
Suicide Rates are also higher for Veterans
We are not talking care of those when they come home and Peter Le Beau said thank God for organizations like Tunnel to Towers and the Wounded Warrior Project.
What about the Youth?
The same reality is that more Americans need to be engaged, especially young Americans. The lack of attendance by any school-age children yesterday is an indication that our American education system is not placing an important focus on military service to this country and what the American flag and the Pledge of Allegiance is all about.
I know some schools on some of these days have special ceremonies, but America has to do more. Otherwise children and adults will lose an understanding of the sacrifice and bravery of anyone who puts on uniform to serve this country.
Honoring Heroes in Active Service and Those who Support our Military
Keynote by Lt. Col Sochara Chumnoeur
Yesterday‘s event was powerful as the keynote was given by Lt. Col. Sochara Chumnoeur, an immigrant from Cambodia who fought long and hard to come to this country and ended up settling in Danbury with her parents as an 8 year old child in 1988. She graduated UConn Nursing in 2003 and entered the Army Reserves in 2004 only to be commissioned into the Regular Army in 2008. She felt that she needed to be fully invested in joining our military full-time.
Lt. Col Chumnoeur (referred to as “Chum”) felt this calling for our nation that went out of its way for her and her family as a refugee to bring her to these United States.
How America used to Integrate Refugees.
Lt. Col Chum’s refugee journey from Cambodia to Thailand to the United States had a detour in Manilla Philippines. She did not go straight to Danbury. Instead, her family spent significant time in Manila Philippines, learning English and other necessary skills in order to have a successful transition into America. And that deep dedication and care contributed to her love for this country and for her ultimate calling to serve the United States.
Her story does raise an interesting point, which Peter Le Beau raised about illegal immigrants having better rights and benefits and services than our own veterans and no focus on the medical issues and mental health issues facing our veterans.
One has to question whether our current policies even on asylum are valid as there’s no sort of education and training. If there was a system as there was following hostility in war, torn regions, we may not have the situation we have today where those that come here have no desire to integrate in our culture in the fabric that comprises our American lifestyle and results in communities that only wants services and benefits and healthcare and food stamps without any desire to contribute to our economy.
Honoring Former State Rep. Livvy Floren
Yesterday, the American Legion Post #29 honored Former State Rep. Livvy Floren for her decades of tireless service to Connecticut and Greenwich as well as her dedication to veterans and support for the American Legion. She was also the co-chair of the Boys and Girl’s State Commission and her Husband, Doug served the USMC. She was introduced by former New York Lt. Governor Betsy McCaughey.
On Veterans Day, we celebrate those that served and that lived to tell the tail wow Memorial Day is for those who never made it home. As we celebrate our veterans every day by thanking anyone in uniform for their service, we must think of better ways to make them feel valued and cherished and honored for their sacrifice.
As First Selectman Fred Camillo stated in his speech, “anyone who puts on the uniform automatically has a legacy while the rest of Americans think about what their legacy is”.
As we come off the day of the federal holiday, let’s think how we can make America better by honoring our service men women, while also looking at ways to ensure that those who come here has immigrants fully recognize that they need to contribute to this country and not only be a burden as they have become over the past several years while our American Servicemen and Servicewomen are struggling and treated worse than those who violated our laws to come to this nation.
Our Schools Have to Do Better and Our Curriculum Needs to Change.
About the American Legion:
“Founded by an Act of Congress after World War I, The American Legion fiercely advocates for the unique needs of every generation of veterans, service members, and their families who pledge to protect our nation. Today, we are committed to destigmatizing mental health support, offering peer-to-peer resources, and empowering everyone to Be The One in the fight to prevent veteran suicide.” See American Legion website [ [link removed] ]

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