Thank You Vets, Happy Birthday America

Rain streamed over plastic tents, muffling the sounds of the birthday party taking place inside. The guests sang “Happy Birthday,” of course, laughed and shared memories and words of praise for the honoree, today 235. The party, held Sunday afternoon at the Farmington Historical Society, was in honor of our country’s birthday. The praise was both for America and for those who have won and continue to fight for her.

Marcie Shepard, the event organizer, shared some history, explaining that the official vote to establish the United States as an independent country took place July 2, 1776, while the Declaration of Independence was signed July 4.

“The Historical Society decided to hold its event on July 3 just to be safe,” she joked.

Inside the cottage, posters created by fourth-graders described what the Fourth of July and America mean to them. Freedom - to speak, protest, dream and be what they wish were popular answers.

Leading the toast was Tom Callinan, a professional musician, a U.S. Marine veteran and Connecticut’s first state troubadour. He sang patriotic favorites like “Yankee Doodle,” “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful” and shared songs he had written about the Stanley-Whitman House, 9/11 and his experiences as a veteran.

He sang one song called, “Thank A Vet,” explaining “that’s all anybody wanted was thanks. Medals happen but thanks is real.”

The chorus proclaimed “Thank that guy or gal who gave their all, Reach out and touch that faceless name on the wall, Thank the little bits and pieces at the Tomb of the Unknown, thank the men and women at the veterans’ home.”

Historical Society volunteers indeed did honor the eight veterans who had gathered Sunday afternoon by presenting them with medallions along with birthday cake and pink lemonade.