Town Preps For Annual Hamden Veterans Awareness Day

From the Town of Hamden:

More than 425 high school and middle school students and 90 veterans with visual displays of their service experiences will share in the 16th annual Hamden Veterans Awareness Day events at Quinnipiac University’s Athletic Center (main campus) on Friday, May 27, starting at 10 a.m. and extending until noon. The annual event builds on the increased awareness of the Memorial Day weekend to enhance students’ understanding of the freedoms we often take for granted.

Connecticut Veterans Affairs Commissioner Sean Connolly, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman and others will also speak on the importance of remembering those who served and continue to defend the freedoms we share.

“Veterans Awareness Day is a great opportunity for students and veterans to discuss one-on-one, and learn what has made this nation great,” said Abner Oakes, chairman of the Hamden Veterans Commission. “Veterans bring exhibits and memorabilia of their time in the service and the students really enjoy the interaction.”

In addition to veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf and O.E.F., there will be exhibits from the Civil War and many other groups that support veterans. The Hamden Veterans Awareness Day was conceived by Daniel Levy, a Coast Guard veteran and middle school Principal, and has always been about speaking with students, not at them.

If the displays don’t prompt interaction with the students, new Scavenger Hunt booklets will get things started. Each student has a copy and the questions require an observant eye and thoughtful inquiries to fill out the pages. This year’s booklets include questions about current events in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as living history details
from earlier conflicts. There are many new exhibits and surprises this year both inside the Athletic Center and outside in the nearby ball field.

Now, in the celebration's sixteenth year, Dan Levy noted “Quinnipiac University has been a great host and once again we look forward to filling the Athletic Center with a living example of the meaning of service.”

A videoed, previous event is available for viewing on YouTube. Further information is available through contacting Abner Oakes via (203) 215-4675 or Dan Levy via (203) 407-7131.