Local VFW Post to Have Huge Presence at Avon Day

The Gildo T. Consolini VFW Post 3272, Avon, Connecticut, celebrating its 70th anniversary, will participate in the 2015 Avon Day event on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Their booth is open to all military veterans, and the general public, to learn about membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and benefits the Avon Post provides to all military veterans and their families. In addition, members of the Post will provide a Color Guard for the town’s festivities which begin at 1 o’clock that afternoon. Following the posting of the colors, Past Post Commander Bill Newman will be honored as Avon Citizen of the Year by the Avon Chapter of UNICO for his 19 years of services to the community on behalf of the Avon VFW.

According to Avon VFW Post Commander Lee Wilson, “We are so pleased that Bill is being given this honor by UNICO and the town. Bill’s spirit and enthusiasm is exactly what our Post has for Avon Day. It gives us an opportunity to meet with veterans and their families, in a friendly setting, to talk about our community activities and the benefits of membership in the VFW. And this year we are pleased to welcome State VFW Commander Robert Bailey who will be joining us in the booth to greet the public as well.”

Wilson added the motto of the VFW is to “no one does more for veterans and their families than the Veterans of Foreign Wars. From local grassroots ideas to national influence, the VFW works every day to make a difference.”

For the Avon Post, that means that all their work is for the service of the veteran and the current military. Membership in the Avon VFW Post also includes receiving a highly informative Post newsletter, the national VFW Magazine, and introduction to the State VFW Service Officer for those who need assistance with benefits. In addition, members are invited to participate in Avon’s Annual Memorial Day Parade, Veterans Day activities at many local schools and on the Town Green every Nov. 11, the annual Buddy Poppy Drive as well as the camaraderie with other veterans during their weekly coffees and monthly dinner meetings.

The Avon Post is 70 years old and will be celebrating with the publication of a magazine, later this year, about their activities, both past and present. They have also purchased more stones for the Avon Veterans Honor Roll on the Town Green off Route 44, which will be engraved with the names of Avon soldiers who served in the War on Terror that began with the Sept. 11, 2001 attack.

The War on Terror was authorized by the United States Congress on September 18, 2001. Since the end of the conflict is still unknown, the Post wants to ensure that all Avon residents are included. The criteria for inclusion are: (1) a resident of Avon who left the town for active duty in the Armed Forces; (2) service on active duty as in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard; and (3) a DD Form 214 must be provided showing proof of residence and active duty status. A soldier included under the Persian Gulf War listing who was on active duty on Sept. 11, 2001 is eligible for inclusion under the War on Terror as well.

The Avon Veterans Memorial was installed on Nov. 11, 1996 by the VFW Post to honor the Avon war dead and missing in action from the Mexican War through to the Vietnam War. To date there are 719 names on the Memorial. The Honor Roll in the center of the Memorial is dedicated to those who lost their lives while on active duty or are missing in action.

To have a name of an Avon soldier listed, please contact Commander Lee Wilson at 860-798-3562 or at commander@avonvfw.com.

In addition, the Avon VFW Post members actively fundraise during the year for many local and state veteran causes, which provides an opportunity to meet the men and women who have fought for our freedom. As well, they commemorate and collect the military service histories of Post 3272 veterans for permanent collection in the Local History Room of the Avon Free Public Library. Military service histories already collected (135 to date) will be on display in the booth on Avon Day.

There are three criteria required to be eligible to join the VFW such as: the veteran must have served overseas during a conflict, must have an Honorable Discharge or be a current Member of the Military and must be a U.S. Citizen. There are also criteria for veterans who served in Korea for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days anytime since June 30, 1949. Or if the veteran has received one of several badges indicating various other service makes them eligible to join.

Receptacles for collecting worn flags for proper disposal will be in the booth as well as flyers on U.S. Flag etiquette and giveaways for children. All veterans of any foreign wars, and their families, are welcome to visit the AVON VFW Post 3272 booth at the Avon Day event which is held on the grounds between Thompson Brook School and Pine Grove School in Avon. Rain date is Sunday, Sept. 27.

To learn more about the Gildo T. Consolini VFW Post 3272, visit: www.avonvfw.com.

Photo: Members of the Gildo T. Consolini Avon VFW Post 3272 meet with the 2014 VFW state commander Greg Smith at their Avon Day booth last year. Photo courtesy of Deb Key Imagery.