From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Civil War monument

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This week's 'Turnback Tuesday' features the Civil War Soldiers Monument on the Derby Green.

In 1875, the Kellogg Post of the Grand Army of the Republic began a movement to erect a monument to the men of Derby and Shelton who gave their lives as volunteers during the war. Inscribed on the brass plaque are the names of 83 men, and the poem was composed by Theodore O'Hara, an Irish Kentuckian. The substructure was completed in 1878 and in 1883, the seven-foot tall bronze statue of a Union Soldier standing at rest was added.

The memorial was dedicated on July 4, 1883 amid great fanfare, a parade, and approximately 8,000 people in attendance.

The surrounding cannons were donated later.

[First posted on this date in 2015.]

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

Derby Fire Department to host annual Sept. 11 memorial on Green

 

Seymour Pink offers scholarship opportunities; applications due by April 21

 

The Board of Directors of Seymour Pink is pleased to announce our 2025 Scholarship opportunities.

This year, there are four scholarships available, with seven awards total.

Learn more on our blog about the following scholarships:

-The Theodosia McEnerney Memorial Scholarship (four $2500 awards)

-The Colleen Fries Memorial Scholarship (one $2500 award)

-The Colleen Garofalo Memorial Scholarship (one $2500 award)

-The Sara & Gary Morgatto Unsung Hero Scholarship (one $500 award)

All applications are on our website Forms page and all submissions are due by Monday, April 21, 2025.

This is shared from Seymour Pink's Facebook page.

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Soldiers Monument on Derby Green

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" features the Civil War Soldiers Monument on the Derby Green. 

In 1875, the Kellogg Post of the Grand Army of the Republic began a movement to erect a monument to the men of Derby and Shelton who gave their lives as volunteers during the war. 

Inscribed on the brass plaque are the names of 83 men, and the poem was composed by Theodore O'Hara, an Irish Kentuckian. 

The substructure was completed in 1878 and in 1883, the 7 foot tall bronze statue of a Union Soldier standing at rest was added. 

The memorial was dedicated on July 4, 1883 amid great fanfare, a parade, and approximately 8,000 people in attendance. The surrounding cannons were donated later.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.  

'Turnback Tuesday' memorializes Derby native Edward J. Cotter, Jr.

Turnback Tuesday remembers Edward J. Cotter Jr. of Derby.

Ed was a WWII veteran in the US Navy as a firefighter.

This Navy training and experience benefitted the City of Derby for years to come. He modernized the fire department with new equipment as well as trained the new firefighters. And because of all of his years of service to the community, he received many awards and praise from his fellow firefighters.

Ed’s day job was working for the Evening Sentinel in Ansonia as a photographer and journalist, starting his career in 1939 as a sports reporter at age 18.

This monument - located on O’Sullivan’s Island by the Greenway under the Commodore Hull Bridge - was placed there in Ed’s memory. He was one of the founders of the former Valley Fire Chief’s Training School that was once located on this site.

Thank you to the Derby Hall of Fame for their helpful information about Ed.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

Derby Fire Department to host 911 Memorial Ceremony at Gazebo on Green

 

Ansonia Parks & Recreation to hold memorial fishing derby at Colony Pond

 

Ceremony to dedicate monument in memory of Shelton resident, Thresher crew

 

American Legion Post 24 to host Veterans Day observance on Derby Green

DERBY - Veterans Day will be observed at 10:30 a.m. Friday on the Derby Green. 

It will be hosted by the John H. Collins American Legion Post 24 of Derby. Guest speaker will be former Derby Police Chief Eugene Mascolo, Brigadier General, CT National Guard, Ret.

Derby Fire Chief Dave Lenart will also be dedicating a War on Terrorism Memorial as an addition to the 9/11 Memorial located on the Derby Green.

Refreshments will be served after the ceremony at the Catholic War Veterans Post 1562, 112 Derby Ave. All veterans and the public are invited and encouraged to attend. 

This is shared from the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Sept. 11 memorial service on Derby Green touches the heart

No words needed to describe this loving tribute to fallen firefighters placed next to the 9/11 memorial on the Derby Green. 

More photos from Saturday's service marking the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 to follow in the Valley Voice newsletter.

Valley Save Our Youth to present plaque in memory of Ansonia native

Sharing from VSOY Facebook page:

ANSONIA - On Sunday VSOY along with the City will present a plaque in memory of local hero Todd Jett at 2 p.m. at Gatison Park in Ansonia. 

There will be a short ceremony in which the plaque will be mounted at the Park. 

Derby to hold annual service on Green to remember Sept. 11 terrorist attacks

Photo of the Sept. 11, 2001 memorial taken at a previous service on the Derby Green./ Photo by Patti Villers

Sharing info from the Valley Independent Sentinel:

DERBY -  A service to remember the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America has been scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday on the Derby Green.

The annual service will be held at the city’s Sept. 11 memorial, which is on the Elizabeth Street side of the Green. Ample on-street parking is available.

Friday marks the 19th anniversary of the attack on the U.S.

Please wear a face mask and follow COVID-19 protocols. 

Today's newsletter features Harvest House, memorial to Derby mom, more

Our Valley Voice newsletter today features the Valley United Way's virtual construction of Harvest House, a loving memorial to slain Derby mother, and Saturday's back to school fill-a-bag in Ansonia.

Here's the link:

https://3d62a228-eb5f-443c-a1ec-b9ff5c58ad34.filesusr.com/ugd/329bf6_2c8238d162d24355994d988dc20eb387.pdf

Ansonia holds 75th annual Woodbridge Avenue Honor Roll ceremony

The Rev. Russell Lesiw, at podium, gives the invocation Sunday at the 75th annual Woodbridge Avenue Honor Roll Memorial ceremony.


See more photos from the solemn event in the next Valley Voice newsletter.

Bronze bust of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Ansonia inspires writer

Since husband Ralph and I publish a free online community newsletter I feel I can occasionally stray from journalistic rules.

That happened today when I opined and used first person in writing a story about the unveiling Saturday of the Martin Luther King memorial in front of Ansonia City Hall.
The bronze bust of the slain civil rights leader sculpted by Ansonia resident Vasil Rakaj is truly magnificent. 
And I was thrilled to witness history in the making!

*Please click the above link to read today's issue of The Valley Voice newsletter for more photos and a story about the inspiring ceremony.

MLK bust unveiling ceremony slated May 4 in front of Ansonia City Hall

'Turnback Tuesday' features Sept. 11 memorial on Derby Green

9/11 memorial on the Derby Green./ Contributed photo

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" remembers the solemn day of 9-11-2001.
[We remember] not only the loss of so many people, but the brave men and women who responded to the aid of their fellow countrymen. 
This picture is of the Derby, CT 9-11 Memorial located on the Derby Green. 
The memorial, dedicated on November 16, 2014, has two granite towers to represent the Twin Towers and an actual centerpiece of steel from one of the fallen towers. 
The monument was planned and funds raised by the Derby Fire Department volunteers.


*Thanks go to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

Plant seeds in loved one's memory at Adam's House in Shelton

Sharing from a Facebook event page:

Join us [at Adam's House in Shelton] for The Great Give May 1st 4-7pm & May 2nd 10am-3pm!

Honor your loved one by planting seeds or flowers in our memorial garden. 
Pick your special place on the Adam's House grounds to plant your seeds and add a commemorative nameplate that you can visit year after year. This is also a great event for kids as they can customize their loved one's name plate. 

Can't make it? You can still order flowers to be planted with a commemoratory nameplate online here. Once our volunteers have finished planting, we will send you a location and photo. 

Help Support Adam's House for The Great Give, the Valley Community Foundation's 36 Hour Online-Giving Event.

Sunset silhouette in Derby

The setting sun after the 9/11 remembrance ceremony Monday on the Derby Green provided a lovely backdrop for flags situated around the 9/11 memorial. 

Restoration of Civil War monument continues on Derby Green

I noticed Monday the scaffolding that had surrounded the Civil War monument on the Derby Green during its restoration has been taken down. The monument is being restored by Conserv Art, LLC of Hamden.
I was at the Green to attend a solemn 9/11 remembrance ceremony hosted each year by the Derby Fire Department.
It was good to see the restoration of the bronze Union soldier atop a granite pedestal is nearing completion. 

Please stay tuned for photos of the 9/11 remembrance ceremony in our next Valley Voice newsletter.