PHOTOS: Marking Independence Day at Greenwich Town Hall from a New Angle

Greenwich’s Independence Day Association held a successful event at town hall on Thursday to celebrate America’s 248th birthday.

On July 4, 248 years ago, the Second Continental Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence, but it would take about a month before any one of the delegates actually signed their name.

This year, due to the front of town hall being covered by scaffolding for repainting, the ceremony was held at the rear of the building, which had some advantages.

People with difficulty on stairs were redirected to the lower parking lot to avoid them, but it was nice to have a break from loud traffic on Field Point Road, and the back of the building is expansive and caught a nice breeze.

Attending the ceremony were local officials including Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo, Selecwoman Lauren Rabin, Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan, State Rep Hector Arzeno (D-151), US Congressman Jim Himes and State Senator Ryan Fazio (R-36).

Successful improvised flag pole behind town hall at the Independence Day event. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich marked Independence Day at Town Hall. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich Scouts distributed flags to everyone who attended, which made for a patriotic flourish across the crowd.

Emcee Ed Dadakis pointed out there had been a concerns about raising the American flag without a flagpole at the back of the building, but a solution was cleverly improvised.

“Two hundred and forty-eight years ago, in Philadelphia, our founding fathers not only declared independence from Britain, but claimed the right to govern themselves, casting off the yoke of tyranny, and paving the way for a nation founded on freedom and democracy,” Dadakis said. “Today we pay tribute to their visionary spirit and unwavering bravery.”

“Throughout its history, America has defended freedom with unparalleled courage and dedication – from the frozen fields of Valley Forge to the rugged mountains of Afghanistan, generations of Americans have answered the call of duty, often at great personal sacrifice.”

Dadakis asked everyone to take a moment amid their barbecues and trips to the beach to reflect and express gratitude to the 57 men who had the foresight and courage to sign the Declaration of Independence.

In the most solemn part of the event, Frederick Floyd Nagle – Captain Matthew Mead Branch II of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution and director of the Yale Veterans Association – read the names of the Greenwich citizens who gave their lives in the Revolutionary War.

“Today, we view those actions as inevitable – almost destined – but in 1776 it was a perilous choice,” Dadakis said. “These men were British subjects challenging their own government. Had they been captured, they would have been executed for treason. Signing was a true act of bravery and conviction. Because of their courage America has shown itself over and over again to be the greatest and most compassionate nation in all of human history. And don’t let anyone tell you differently.”

Frederick Floyd Nagle, who is past president of Captain Matthew Mead Branch II of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution and director of the Yale Veterans Association, read the names of the Greenwich citizens who gave their lives in the Revolutionary War. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Good Citizenship awards were presented to high school students selected by their various schools.

Award recipients include James Flinn of Greenwich High School; Francesca Lovero of Greenwich Country Day; Caitlin Costello of Sacred Heart; Gunner Gregory of Brunswick School and Melina Saleme of Greenwich Academy.

At Greenwich Town Hall, Peter and Isabel Malkin with Bea Crumbine who is credited founded the Independence Day Association, having imagined the Independence Day event many years ago. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

State Rep Hector Arzeno (D-151), Janet Giusti from the Independence Day Association, and US Congressman Jim Himes at Greenwich town hall for the Independence Day ceremony. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Russe and Davidde Strackbein at the Independence Day ceremony at Town Hall. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Left to right: Tod Laudonia, Tina Courpas, Joe Kelly, Jill Kelly and John Ferris Robben at Greenwich Town Hall for Independence Day ceremony. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Deputy Chief Mark Zuccerella (center) with members of the Greenwich Police Dept at the Greenwich Independence Day ceremony at Town Hall. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

State Senator Ryan Fazio (R-36) and former State Rep Livvy Floren at the Independence Day ceremony at Greenwich Town Hall. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Donna Moffly and Sandra Herman at the Independence Day ceremony at Greenwich Town Hall. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich Police honor guard at the Independence Day ceremony at town Hall. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich Tax Collector Heather Smeriglio, Historical Society’s Barbara Johan and Linda Ruggieri at the Independence Day ceremony at town Hall. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Renee Seblatnigg and Blaise Punturo at the Independence Day event at Greenwich Town Hall. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Joe Kantorski and Patricia Baiardi at the Independence Day event at Greenwich Town Hall. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Independence Day event at Greenwich Town Hall. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Board of Selectmen members Fred Camillo, Lauren Rabin and Janet Stone McGuigan. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Andrea Blume and Irene Dietrich wave from a shady spot at the Independence Day event at Greenwich Town Hall. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Sarah Murdock and Sheila Phelan at the Independence Day event at Greenwich Town Hall. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

“Helen,” was a patriotic dog at Independence Day event at Greenwich Town Hall. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Natalie Pray presents the Good Citizens awards to local students during the Independence Day event at Greenwich Town Hall. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Gunnar Gregory receives a Good Citizenship award at the Independence Day event at Greenwich Town Hall. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Ed Dadakis from the Independence Day Association emceed the ceremony at Greenwich Town Hall. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Veterans were asked to stand at the Independence Day event at Greenwich Town Hall. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Buglers Dylan Pond and his father Ken Pond at the Independence Day ceremony at Greenwich Town Hall. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Tim Johnston, Lois Reitzfeld, Stacey and Zoe Johnston, and Alan Reitzfeld, a member of the Sound Beach Community Band, at the Independence Day ceremony at Greenwich Town Hall. July 4, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager