Abundant Life Ministries in Ansonia to host Black History program

To purchase tickets online, follow the link to TEAM on the flyer.

Remembrance ceremony at Derby High School to honor deceased residents

 

Annual 9-11 tribute ceremony slated Sept. 11 on Derby Green

 

Seymour Congregational Church to hold Blessing of the Flags ceremony

SEYMOUR - Join us [at Seymour Congregational Church] for a powerful evening of remembrance and gratitude at our Blessing of the Flags and Dedication Ceremony, held in partnership with American Legion Post 10.

Throughout Memorial Day week, our church lawn will display a Field of Flags - each one honoring a service member who has served our country. On May 22 at 6 p.m., we invite the community to gather with us for a special ceremony where we will:
- Bless the flags
 Dedicate personalized plaques in memory or honor of veterans
 Join in reflection with music and community presence
 Offer prayers of thanks and remembrance

This is a family-friendly and community-wide event. Whether you have a loved one to honor or simply want to show your support and gratitude, all are welcome.
Come stand with us in reverence, unity, and hope.

This is shared from a Facebook event page.

Ansonia ceremony marks 82nd anniversary of Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor

Mayor David S. Cassetti honors the memory of Ansonia native Jim Sardo, a U.S. Marine and hero who gave his life in battle on Okinawa, an island in the South Pacific. He was only 20 years old.

Members of Gordon Visselli Post 50 American Legion of Ansonia fire three rounds into the sky. 

The Ansonia High School chorus led by music teacher Maria Tangredi performed several patriotic songs during the 30-minute program.

Read all about the annual ceremony here in a story by Jean Falbo-Sosnovich in the Valley Independent Sentinel. 

Derby firefighters to hold 9/11 remembrance ceremony Monday on Green

I took this photo at the Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony on the Derby Green in 2021. No words needed. 

DERBY - The city's annual ceremony to mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks will be held at 6 p.m. Monday on the Derby Green.

Ansonia to hold 9/11 remembrance at Webster Park Monday morning

ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti invites all to Webster Park Monday, Sept. 11 at 8:30 a.m., to remember the terrorist attacks on America on Sept. 11, 2001.

The remembrance will take place from 8:46-9:01 a.m.

This is shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Ansonia Memorial Day Parade to step off at 2 p.m. Sunday

 

Derby Neck Library announces Memorial Day holiday closing

We will be closed on Monday, May 29 for Memorial Day! 

We will be open on Saturday and Sunday during our usual hours, from 1-5 p.m.

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

Plumb Memorial, Huntington Branch Libraries in Shelton to close on Memorial Day

 

This is shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.

Derby Fire Department to hold Sept. 11 remembrance on the Green

Photo from Facebook event page

DERBY - The Derby Fire Department will hold its annual service in remembrance of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001 at 10 a.m. Sept. 11 on the Green.

This is shared from a Facebook event page.

Wreaths Across America ceremony slated at St. Michael's Cemetery in Derby

 

'Turnback Tuesday' features program for 1890 Memorial Day exercises

DERBY - Turnback Tuesday remembers the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Kellogg Post #26 of Derby.

The Derby Post was formed on April 11, 1867 and named after Colonel Elisha Strong Kellogg who died in the Civil War.

This program advertised the Memorial Day Exercises for May 30, 1890 at the Sterling Opera House. It was the GAR that created a general order for all posts to set aside May 30 as a day of remembrance of fallen comrades, known today as Memorial Day.

This program is a recent donation from Norman Hayden.

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

Derby Historical Society director encourages reflection on MLK holiday

By Daniel Bosques

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day serves as an opportunity for all of us to stop and reflect on our own thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. 

In the spirit of Dr. King’s unwavering and messages of hope, perseverance, enacting peaceful change, and equality for all, we have a responsibility to our fellow Americans to take a personal inventory of ourselves. 

Are we individually doing our part to show love, compassion, fairness, and acceptance to our neighbors? 

Do we demonstrate strength of character, respectful responses to opposing viewpoints, intolerance of unfair policies? Do we show love to others through our words and our deeds? 

Taking a moment to stop and think about our individual answers to these questions just might lead to the self-awareness that may act as a catalyst for necessary change. 

There has never been a time in our collective American history that Dr. King’s messages of equality and hope have not been relevant. As a nation, we have come a long way from our tarnished history of slavery, oppression, Jim Crow segregation, and the overt mistreatment of large populations of Americans. 

However, we must acknowledge that we still have very far to go in reaching the type of country that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. described in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Recent events in our country have forced Americans to face a stark reality that they had long been oblivious of (or complacent to ignore) - that is, that people of color in this country continue to face racism in many facets of their lives; most disturbingly, systemically.

While the current state of our nation may be discouraging for some, we must embrace the fact that as Americans, each one of us is empowered to make the changes we wish to see in our society. We might start by taking today to revisit the eloquent, awe-inspiring, and world-changing words of one of the greatest Americans who ever lived.

To hear five of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speeches, click here.

The lessons of the past can serve as the answers to creating a better future that includes all Americans. 

Ansonia ceremony in Veterans Park to mark Pearl Harbor Day

Reminder: Derby FD to host Sept. 11 Remembrance Service on Green

Derby FD to host annual Sept. 11 memorial service on the Green

DERBY - The Derby Fire Department will host its annual Sept. 11 memorial service on the Derby Green at 7 p.m. on Sept. 11.

Any questions please contact:
Assistant Chief David Lenart
203-751-7006 or david.lenart158@gmail.com.


This info is shared from a Facebook event page.

Scenes from the Shelton-Derby Parade

Folks gather Monday on the Derby Green near the reviewing stand on Elizabeth Street to wait for the parade. 
The two-city event started in downtown Shelton this year.

The weather was picture-perfect!

Please stay tuned for more photos in the next issue of The Valley Voice newsletter. 

Scenes from Ansonia Memorial Day Parade

 Photos taken across from the reviewing stand in front of City Hall.

Please stay tuned for more photos in the next Valley Voice newsletter.

Happy Memorial Day weekend