Veterans Day 2024

Veterans in the community of Country Living at Westview Commons and across this great American nation received due honors and gratitude on Veterans Day this week. The population at the Dayville independent and assisted living facility includes many service men and women, and the remainder of the residents are empathetic and grateful for the military service and sacrifice of all who put on a uniform. This year’s observation contained the extra-special element of christening the “Wall of Honor” in Westview Commons’ main atrium. This symbolic tribute consists of a central crest featuring the United States Department of Defense insignia, and all six of the United States Service branch icons below: The US Army, the US Navy, the US Marines, the US Air Force, the US Coast Guard, and the US Space Force.

The late Dick Stapleton was a Westview Commons resident and a vocal proponent of including this memorial space in the common area at Westview Commons. He researched ways that other facilities displayed “Wall of Honor” galleries, served as the Chairman for Westview Commons’ Veteran Committee to discuss the plan, and generated visual concepts with Westview Commons Activities and Technology Services Departments to propose to the facility leadership. There was an open chain of conversation between resident veterans like Dick Stapleton, Richard “Morrie” Morrison, and Bob St. Onge. Upon the design’s approval, veteran Westview Commons residents submitted photographs of themselves in uniform from their brave days of yesteryear. Resident and veteran Bill Jones played an integral role processing these images; scanning and resizing the various pictures tendered. All of these individual portraits are now displayed in identical frames with each resident’s name, service branch, and rank labeling their identity. Dick Stapleton’s wife Dororthy and the Stapleton’s daughter were on hand to perform the ribbon cutting for Westview Commons’ Wall of Honor; officially christening the memorial on Veterans Day.

Immediately following this presentation, a large assembly of veterans and residents of Westview Commons gathered in The Great Room for their Veterans Day tribute. This annual tradition features pomp and circumstance via the Color Guard of the American Legion Leo J. L’Homme/William F. Burdick Post 21 from Danielson, CT setting the stage. They marched into the room, placed the flags of the United States and their American Legion chapter in their stands, and stood at attention in front of the room. All in attendance then recited the Pledge of Allegiance in unison, and subsequently listened to Post 21 Chaplain Al Duff as he offered an invocation prayer for the occasion. James Eccleston, the guest speaker for Westview Commons’ Veterans Day observance, is a United States Army veteran, a former Exalted Ruler of Putnam Elks Lodge 574, a small business owner in Brooklyn, CT, and the Secretary of the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse. With a lifetime of service to his country and dedication to his fellow veterans, Mr. Eccleston spoke to the importance of an entire community supporting our troops—not just on Veterans Day, but every day.

Following his remarks there was a great sense of patriotism reverberating through the room. The time came for the tribute to focus on our specific resident veterans at Westview Commons; thanking them by name, with a handshake, and by the gift of an American flag. As Resident Services Director Mary Belcher read the names and service branches of each veteran living at Westview Commons, Activities Director Louise Taylor and James Eccleston circulated through the assembled guests and presented each veteran with their gratitude and a flag featuring the stars and bars. At the end of this laudation Post 21 bestowed a special honor upon Westview Commons resident Richard “Morrie” Morrison. Morrie was given praise and a commemorative plaque signifying his seven decades affiliated with Post 21. The inscription reads: “American Legion Post 21 Recognizes Richard Morrison for 70 Years of Loyal and Dedicated Service as a Member of the American Legion.” Morrie was deeply touched by the acknowledgement, and maintained honorable humility as he received this salute.

Once all salutations had been distributed, a moment of silence was held. Joining the proceedings at Westview Commons on Veterans Day was “The Continentals” band—with Jack Coleman on keyboard, Don MacNeill on drums, and Mike Livingston on guitar. Jack Coleman played “Taps” through a synthesizer to symbolize the somber sacrifices of veterans who have come before, and then the whole band led the room in singing a rousing rendition of “God Bless America.” Chaplain Al Duff returned to read a benediction prayer to close the ceremony, and Post 21’s dispatch retired the colors. The Continentals kept the patriotic pride pulsating with a musical military tribute following the formal proceedings. They performed each of the service branch anthems and gave historical context and anecdotal details for each one. Additionally, they performed classic American songbook tunes like “America the Beautiful,” “This Land is Your Land,” and “God Bless the U.S.A”; encouraging all assembled guests to sing along.

Veterans Day is always a special day at Westview Health Care Center and Country Living at Westview Commons. It was even more moving to see the anticipation and appreciation afforded to Westview Commons’ Wall of Honor as it now proudly praises our resident veterans by its presence. Many of our community members at Westview Commons had family visiting with them during this dedication, and we send heartfelt thanks to all who joined us for this important occasion. To all of our veterans—in our community and across this great nation—Country Living at Westview Commons is immensely grateful. We send blessings to our service men, service women, and military families who help us to preserve the American way; keeping our Republic intact from generation to generation.

Country Living at Westview Commons is a 75-unit independent and assisted living community conveniently located in picturesque Northeastern Connecticut. Affiliated with Westview Health Care Center, a nationally-ranked nursing facility according to CMS and U.S. News and World Report for the past years, Westview Commons is a 115,000 square foot catered living facility dedicated to a genuine 5-star experience including outstanding service, culinary expertise and professional in-house entertainment. Located in Dayville, CT, Westview Commons combines convenience, tranquility and comfort; providing a lifestyle that seniors deserve.