East Haven Fireworks/Beach Party Dedication Announced

EAST HAVEN, CT — Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 484 and Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. have announced that this year’s 17th Annual Fireworks/Beach Party celebration will be dedicated to an original member of the Fireworks Committee, Vietnam Veteran Charlie Cottle.

This year’s event will take place on Saturday June 24th and feature a musical tribute to the ever popular American Rock Band, Earth, Wind & Fire, performed by “Elements.”
The festivities will once again include another fun-filled day of food, music and live entertainment, which will begin at 12 noon and continue right up to launch time (approximately 9 pm). The rain date, which will be limited entertainment and the fireworks, will be Monday June 26th.
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Charles John Cottle, a lifelong member of the Vietnam Veterans Association, Chapter 484 was an original organizer of the VVA-Town of East Haven Fireworks and served on the Committee until his death on Thanksgiving of 2016.

Cottle joined the Marine Corps in 1963, where he served in Vietnam until his discharge in 1969. Charlie, a helicopter electrician for Sikorsky Aircraft was also an avid Harley Davidson rider and his motorcycle greeted the thousands of attendees each year at the entrance to the beach area on Fireworks night. Cottle was a passionate advocate of the recognition of POW’s/MIA’s and for the proper treatment, support and respect that he felt all our returning Veterans deserved.

The Committee is also pleased to announce that Stop & Shop Supermarket Company has once again joined PMA Companies to sponsor the VVA and the Town in presenting “Elements” beginning approximately at 7:15 pm. This year, back by popular demand, leading up to the Fireworks show will be a special patriotic musical tribute to America’s Veterans, entitled “Rob and Karen’s salute to America’s Heroes."

Originally written by Brian McCready

(Editor's Note: This story first ran previously but here it is again in case you missed it.)