Larson angry at Senate vote to kill F-22

Press release from U.S. Rep. John Larson, the East Hartford Democrat whose 1st District includes Bristol:

LARSON RESPONDS TO SENATE F-22 VOTE

Washington, DC – Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01), Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, issued the following statement in response to the Senate’s vote on the F-22 today.
“I am deeply disappointed by the vote cast in the Senate today. It is unfathomable to me that in this economy anyone in Washington would take action leading to the lay-off of 95,000 highly-skilled manufacturing workers – the backbone of our workforce. There is no place for these workers to go once these jobs disappear. This is a reckless decision that goes to the heart of our manufacturing base and our national security. To protect the American people and the American way of life, it is vital that we keep these jobs and skills on our shores. As we speak, other countries are building their manufacturing base and skill set with advanced fighter planes. I will continue to work to keep the production lines open and keep these highly-skilled, good-paying jobs in Connecticut.”

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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Bristol native badly hurt in Afghanistan fighting

A Bristol native on his third wartime assignment was badly injured by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan last week.

Sgt. Joshua Bouchard, who joined the U.S. Marines five years ago, lost part of a leg and suffered severe back injuries, according to his aunt, Sandra Ouelette of Bristol.

Two other Marines in the vehicle – in the lead of a convoy in southeastern Afghanistan last Tuesday – were killed by the explosion, family members said.

“It’s pretty bad out there,” Oulette said Monday.

Bouchard, who underwent his second major back surgery Monday, was born in Bristol and grew up in town before moving with his parents to Amherst, Mass. before high school.

Mayor Art Ward, a Marine veteran who was injured in Vietnam, said he hopes Bouchard has “a speedy recovery.”

“We’re grateful for his service,” Ward said. He said soldiers such as Bouchard “are there for us and we need to be there for him” in his time of need.

“I would like people to know so they could say prayers for this brave soldier,” Ouelette said.

Bouchard’s parents, James and Suzann Bouchard, are with him at the hospital at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany, Ouelette said.

“We were so afraid that he would not make it but fortunately he has so far,” she said.

The family learned of Bouchard’s injuries Wednesday. The military flew his parents to Germany to see their son and to help him with his recovery, Ouelette said.

James Bouchard is a Vietnam veteran who was also wounded in battle, his sister said.

“Wounded in Vietnam and your son goes and he gets wounded, too, like a domino thing,” Ouelette said.

Bouchard had served two tours in Iraq and recently signed on for his second four-year stint in the Marines, his aunt said.

The improvised explosive that injured Bouchard came during the largest U.S. military operation in Afghanistan since 2001.

Troops are targeting Taliban-held areas with the goal of reclaiming the territory for the U.S-backed central government before next month’s presidential election in the troubled country.

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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Military exhibit on Sunday may be New England's largest inter-service display

Memorial Boulevard will have one of New England’s largest military exhibits Sunday as part of the community’s Memorial Day activities.

Military men and women from every branch of the service will be on hand to show off everything from a U.S. Navy boat to an armored personnel carrier.

"We’re going to have all our vehicles out there," said Sgt. Michael Proulx of the New Hamphire-based 368th Engineering Battalion of the U.S. Army Reserves.

Pat Nelligan, a park commissioner who has helped organize the event since it began five years ago, said the city has "built up a tradition now" with its display of military hardware.

Mayor Art Ward said the people should come down to the boulevard to see it for themselves.

He said, too, that if offers residents a chance to talk directly to the active duty military members who have been fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"They can answer the questions" that people may have, the mayor said.

He urged everyone to "get the answers rather than the speculation" about the controversial wars the country is engaged in.

The Sunday celebration runs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and includes a helicopter landing at 10 a.m. A ceremony is slated for 1 p.m. where U.S. Army Major General Bruce Zukaskus and SFC Gregory Stube, a who survived grievous wounds in Afghanistan, will speak.

Gerald Chamberland, who is active in veterans activities, said that people should some to learn the history of what’s gone from the men and women who were there.

Chamberland said that in hearing from the soldiers of all branches, residents will come to appreciate more deeply "the freedom we all share."

Lt. Peter Torromeo of the New Hampshire-based engineering unit said his battalion has had people at each of Bristol’s weekend events for four years.

"We don’t give up a chance to do this," he said, because of the tremendous support they get from the community and the active veterans group in town.

"Everyone treats us really nice and they are respectful," Proulx said.

"We’re very fortunate in Bristol. It’s always been a military-oriented town, even during the Vietnam War," said the mayor, who served in the U.S. Marines in Vietnam.

Proulx said he thinks the armored personnel carrier they brought down, "which looks like a little tank," will be a hit. Visitors will have a chance to clamber in and out.

"They can get out on there and see what it’s all about," he said.

Weekend schedule

Saturday

11 a.m. - Dedication of aerators on Memorial Boulevard ponds and the rededication of the ‘Hiker’ monument and World War I obelisk.

11:30 a.m. - Community covenant signing

noon - Scholarship presentation in honor of the late Tony Savino

Sunday

8 - 4:30 - Military exhibits

Monday

9 a.m. - Bristol Memorial Day Parade, which starts on Race Street

noon - Forestville Memorial Day Parade

PS: If anyone has tips on the best places to watch the parades from, please post them as comments. I've had a couple of requests from people who want to attend but are not sure where to go to view each parade.

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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Slice of Bristol seeks to help Bristol military personnel

Over the past five years, the Slice of Bristol group has sent off more than 150 packages to the city’s military men and women around the world to give them a touch of home as they carry out their duties across the world.

But it’s been a couple of years since the last round of boxes went out – stuffed with ESPN caps, Lake Compounce passes and other keepsakes from home – and there “is a whole new generation” of soldiers, sailors and more to reach, said city Councilor Craig Minor, one of the original organizers of the effort.

The idea driving the effort is to give military personnel in far-flung places a taste of home, a reminder that people in Bristol are thinking of them and wishing them well.

“We know we have had success” in the past because of the thank-yous that came back from soldiers in Afghanistan, sailors in the Persian Gulf and many others, said Pat Nelligan, who was also among the original organizers.

The Slice of Bristol group, which is now part of the Bristol Veterans Council, plans to send a new pile of packages on March 14 and is busy gathering the names of military personnel who should get one.

“Let’s share the wealth. Let’s get some names,” Nelligan said.

Nelligan said that the group is contacting recruiters in the area to find out any names and addresses they may have. But they also need help from the community because the military doesn’t release the information itself.

If you know the name and address of anyone serving overseas in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force or Coast Guard, please print it carefully and mail the necessary information to Slice of Bristol, in care of the mayor’s office at City Hall.

Be sure to include your own name and phone number in case organizers have any questions.

The only stipulation that organizers have is that the package recipients must be from Bristol.

Know someone who should get a box?

Send his or her name and mailing address to:

Slice of Bristol
c/o  Mayor's Office
111 North Main Street
Bristol,  CT  06010

If you have a photograph that could be put in the new display case at City Hall, include it as well.

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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

City plans to honor active duty military from Bristol

The city plans a new display to honor active duty military personnel around the world.
Prompted by veteran Al Cianchetti, city councilors said this week they would like to see a professional display at City Hall that would showcase photographs of Bristol residents who are currently serving in the military.
“The concept is an excellent one,” said city Councilor Craig Minor.
Cianchetti said he wants to see “more than just a plain Jane bulletin board” to honor the men and women who are risking their lives for their country.
He said the display he envisions would “show support” for residents who are serving in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. It would include all active duty personnel, not just those serving in war zones.
Though Cianchetti offered to have a display made, the city’s Building Committee said that it ought to be a municipal responsibility – and it ought to be done right.
“Bristol can afford to spend a few dollars,” said Minor, to pay its respects to its citizens who are in uniform across the globe.
He said he would like to see something done with dignity.
“It’s probably not going to be cheap,” Minor said.
City Purchasing Agent Roger Rousseau said he would look into options for the display.
City Councilor Kevin McCauley, who chairs the committee, said he would like to see a cover of some sort on the display to help prevent vandalism.
Public Works Director Walter Veselka said that officials need to figure out who would maintain the board and who would figure out which pictures to display.
The city’s Veterans Committee will also weigh in soon with its thoughts on how to do it properly.
There is no easy way to find out the names or obtain pictures of Bristol people who are in the military.
An effort to send care packages with Bristol themes to military personnel depended mostly on friends and families providing the names and addresses. Chances are that pictures will have to come from the same sources.
McCauley said he’s looking forward to the new display.
“It’s off and running,” he said.

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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com