Saturday is Veterans Day, a day to honor those who have served in the U.S. military.
The federal holiday on November 11 is linked to the end of World War I and was originally called Armistice Day. It wasn’t officially called Veterans Day until 1954.
On Saturday the annual community walk will move down Greenwich Avenue to the World War I monument in front of the historic former post office (at the corner of Arch Street). The walk will set off from Amogerone Crossway at 10:30. Following the walk there will be speakers at the war memorial at 11:00.
This year the featured speaker will be Vietnam veteran Ed Vick. Mr. Vick spent over 30 years in marketing communications and retired as CEO and Chairman of Young & Rubicam Advertising Worldwide.
A Naval officer prior to his business Career, Vick fought with the Navy’s River Patrol Force in Vietnam and led over 100 combat missions on the rivers of the Mekong Delta.
Dean Gamanos, Ed Vick and Peter Lebeau at the Vietnam Veterans event at the Arch Street Teen Center in May 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Mr. Vick holds two bronze Star Medals, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
His river division also holds the Presidential Unit Citation, the highest honor an American combat unit can receive.
Active in veterans’ causes, he was the first Chairman of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the largest non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those veterans.
Vick holds degrees from UNC Chapel Hill and Northwestern University.
A ceremony put together by the American Legion Post 29 will be held right after.
Byram Veterans
At 1:00pm, the Byram Veterans Association will also host their annual march along Delavan Avenue. A block party to celebrate veterans will follow. All are invited to attend and pay tribute on the 75th anniversary of Byram Veterans.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. In May, a ceremony at the Teen Center honored Vietnam veterans. About 90 veterans and their families attended and many shared their personal stories.
More than 550,000 Americans traveled overseas for the Vietnam War and there were over 58,220 American casualties, with 24 from Greenwich.
See also:
Powerful Vietnam Veterans Event in Greenwich: Thank You and Welcome Home
May 16, 2023
Dean Gamanos, Ed Vick and Peter Lebeau at the Vietnam Veterans event at the Arch Street Teen Center in May 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager