Simsbury VFW Thanks Community For 'Tremendous' Support This Year

Press release from Members of the Metacomet Post 1926, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Simsbury:

Dec. 20, 2020

Members of the Metacomet Post 1926, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Simsbury, warmly thank the residents of Simsbury and the Farmington Valley for their overwhelming support of the recently held Buddy Poppy Drives and new clothing collection for military veterans in Connecticut.
Beginning in October with the Buddy Poppy Drive outside Fitzgerald’s Food Store in honor of POW/MIA weekend (Prisoner of War/Missing in Action) and again in November during the Veterans Day weekend, the Post raised over $2,000 for their Relief Fund. A VFW Relief Fund is to be used for aid, assistance, relief, and comfort of needy or disabled veterans or members of the Armed Forces.

Throughout most of November and early December, the Post placed donation boxes at St. Mary’s Church, Simsbury Methodist Church, St. Catherine’s Church, First Church of Christ Congregational and the Simsbury Fire Dept. Hopmeadow Street building for the collection of new clothing and sundries. These donations were distributed to military veterans living in the Connecticut Veterans Home in Rocky Hill and the Virginia Connelly and Dr. Murphy housing in Simsbury. This holiday-timed event grows every year and this year was no exception.
In all cases, while the pandemic went on, the support by residents was tremendous. The veterans who received assistance and clothing were very grateful.

The Post thanks everyone involved especially the management of Fitzgerald’s Food Stores for their support of the Poppy Drive and the Simsbury Fire Department and local churches that allowed the boxes to be placed in their buildings.

Due to the inclement weather on November 11, Simsbury’s Veterans Day ceremony was canceled. However, the traditional moment of silence at 11:00am was held at the Simsbury Veterans Memorial. (see photo below with suggested caption) Plans are underway for a socially distanced Memorial Day ceremony at the Simsbury Performing Arts Center on Monday, May 31, 2021.

This press release was produced by Members of the Metacomet Post 1926, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Simsbury. The views expressed here are the author's own.