The Armed Services Memorial is located directly in front of City Hall on the Town Green…read more It consists of three stone monuments dedicated to the veterans of four wars. One of the wars has not yet been concluded. The left monument is dedicated to the World War II vets from 1941-1946. It reads: "To the memory of those who served in World War II on land - on sea - in the air 1941-1946 Those who paid the supreme sacrifice (56 names inscribed) The right monument reads: To the memory of those who served In the Korean Conflict 1950 -1955 In the Vietnam War 1964-1975 Those who paid the supreme sacrifice ( 4 names inscribed for each war) The Center monument is taller than the others. It has an American Eagle on the top. The engraving reads: This memorial erected in honor of The men and women of this community Who served their country in the Armed Forces preserving our freedom and our way of life To the memory of those who served In the global war on terror 2001 - Those who paid the supreme sacrifice (2 names inscribed)

The Enfield Town Green is a bonanza for those that appreciate Veterans monuments. There are three…read morein pretty close proximity of each other. The newest monument was dedicated in 2012 and it honors the broad spectrum of vets from all branches of the service. It isn't dedicated to those of any specific war, so it really honors all vets across the centuries of American history. It's a gorgeous monument made of high-gloss reflective black granite. It consists of eight columns of variable heights that form a sweeping arc. The six middle columns honor a different branch of the armed forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. Each panel carries the respective etched logo and motto for the branch it represents. The two end columns contain these inscriptions. Left Column: "This space is dedicated to the veterans of our community who served the nation in time of danger." Right column: "Some are with us still - Many have gone on ahead - Often they responded to a whisper from within - Others rallied to the call - All gave some - Some gave all." It's an absolutely beautiful monument.

This monument was a joy to conceive. The committee of town folks who worked on it were motivated by…read morea sincere respect for veterans. Some aspects of the design of the monument need to be pointed out. The height of the columns reflect the height of an average person. The sloping tops of the columns and the semi arc of their placement represent "embracing arms". When you stand front and center you will see your reflection in the six major columns. This feature allows the observer to be part of the monument. The overall concept was for the monument to be all inclusive and for all time. The words I wrote for the two flanking columns do not mention a gender, place, time or specific town. As the observer reads the inscription in the "here and now" they realize the inclusiveness of the overall design.

It was a Pulitzer prize winning photograph, taken on February 23, 1945 and it became one of the…read moremost iconic images in American history. A monument based on the image became a well known tourist attraction in Washington DC. And in 1995, on the Newington/New Britain border, just off Exit 29 on Route 9, it became a memorial and park that will simply take your breath away. This memorial is dedicated to America's 6,821 servicemen who gave their lives during the Battle of Iwo Jima. The base of the memorial lists the names of the 100 Connecticut natives killed there. There is so much to see at the memorial and around the park. Flags of the service branches, a stone uncovered during the excavation that eerily resembled the shape of Iwo Jima's island, an eternal flame, monuments dedicated to medical corps and chaplains, engraved bricks on the walkways, engraved dedications on the hundreds of flag holders, small stone memorials with sponsors' names, and a time capsule to be opened in 2045. Of course, the crowning glory of this sprawling memorial is the massive statue representing the raising of the U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi by six soldiers. It is simply a stunning memorial. Go see it, read the plaques, try to wrap your arms around the idea of 6,800 servicemen dying, spend some quiet time reflecting on what you have seen.

This was a must see while I was in the area. This stems from a very monumental moment in our…read morecountry's history. This memorial is located on Ella Grasso boulevard, near New Britain/Newington town line. This memorial was dedicated on February 23,1995. This memorial salutes the Americans who died fighting the last strategic stronghold, before the planned invasion on Japan. The park also features an eternal flame and monuments also dedicated to combat medical corps and chaplains. At the base of the monument are the inscribed names of the soldiers who gave their lives in battle.

This is a very strange monument located on the green in front of the Enfield Congregational Church…read more A statue of Thomas Abbey stands on a four-sided base inside a circular ring of stone benches. The base is absolutely crammed with inscribed text on all four sides, including the verses of a long poem. The poem is "The Captain's Drum" and it memorializes a 1775 event in Enfield's history involving Thomas Abbey (1731-1811) and the birth of the United States. Abbey was a veteran of the French and Indian War. When news of the Boston shootings at Lexington and Concord reached Enfield, Abbey led soldiers of the Enfield Company on a 103-mile long march from Enfield's meeting house at the Congregational Church all the way to Boston to join the battle against the British. The poem's 12th verse reads ''The Green of Lexington is red With British Red-Coats, brothers' blood ! In rightful cause the earliest dead Ave always best beloved of God. Mark time ! Let the march begin ! All bound for Boston, fall right in !" I don't know about you, but I got the chills when I read this.....

The Enfield Soldiers' Monument is a 6' high figure of a Union soldier. It was dedicated by the City…read moreof Enfield way back in 1885. The soldier has a mustache and holds his rifle. He stands on a huge 4-sided base that's decorated with all kinds of things; a sculpture of an eagle and shield, and the military symbols for different branches of the armed forces. Some of the symbols are an anchor for the Navy, two crossed sabers representing cavalry, crossed cannons for artillery and a bugle for infantry. There are four plaques at the base of the statue -two for the Civil War and two that were added on years later. One each for World War I and World War II. A plaque on the front reads: IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF ENFIELD WHO ON LAND AND SEA PERILED THEIR LIVES FOR UNION AND LIBERTY, 1861-1865 ---------- ERECTED BY THE TOWN OF ENFIELD A.D. 1885. The other plaques are dedicated to those who died at the infamous Andersonville prison during the Civil War, and those lost in WWI and WWII. The respective inscriptions read: ROLL OF HONOR KILLED IN BATTLE {Ten names} DIED FROM WOUNDS {Fourteen names} DIED IN SERVICE AT ANDERSONVILLE PRISON, GA. {Fifteen names} IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR FOR WORLD-WIDE LIBERTY 1917-1919 KILLED IN ACTION {Eight names} DIED IN SERVICE {Six names, the last is a female Red Cross nurse} ERECTED BY THE TOWN OF ENFIELD 1922 World War II Plaque ROLL OF HONOR DIED IN SERVICE {Fifteen Names}

This beautiful gazebo is located on the Town Green near the corner of Route 10 and Route 202. It's…read moreadjacent to Town Hall and is very close to Avon's Veterans Memorial. Built in 1994, it's a very nice place to sit, enjoy the pretty scenery, and spend a few quiet moments. There are quite a few plaques inside the gazebo dedicated to local sponsors, donors, and individuals. A hexagonal plaque at the entrance reads: DEDICATED TO THE LOYAL CITIZENS OF AVON BOTH PAST AND PRESENT

This artistic and very original memorial can be found on town owned land that was renovated into a…read moresmall park known as Mulberry Park. It was dedicated in 2007 and stands at the corner of Mulberry and Elm Streets. The park contains a unique memorial dedicated to the Gulf War Veterans in the form of two benches. They are inscribed with metal plates bearing the names of the Gulf war vets from Windsor Locks. The back rest of each bench bears an image of the American flag. The iron frames on the sides of the bench are decorated with the US Shield of an American Eagle. The tribute was planned and installed by Girl Scout Troop 589 as part of a Gold Award Project that also included landscaping and plantings. It's a simple and beautiful tribute. Well done girls !!

One more example of the incredibly rich history that can be found in every corner of our state. The…read moreWhite Fountain is located on the Southbound side of Hopmeadow Street, pretty much across the street from Abigail's Restaurant, where Route 202/10 intersects Route 185. The Fountain honors Dr. Roderick White (1809-1887), who dedicated nearly 50 years of his life traveling around the Simsbury area by horse to practice medicine and offer healthcare advice to the community. He studied medicine at Yale, and began his medical career in Manchester and Granville before he settled in Simsbury in 1842. Dr. White passed away in 1887, and his wife Elizabeth passed away two years later. Her will stated "I desire to leave a memorial of my late husband in the community where he so long lived and practiced his profession, and for that purpose I have determined that it would be suitable and proper to erect in the village of Weatogue a memorial fountain supplied with running water." A granite base supports the granite fountain. There is a large basin with lion heads, and three round basins above. Decorations on the fountain include a portrait of Dr. and Mrs. White, a sculpture of a Healing Serpent (symbol for medical profession),an engraving of Hippocrates, and an inscription honoring Dr. White. The inscription reads: In Memory of Roderick A. White, M.D., who died Dec. 2, 1887. The beloved Physician of this town for nearly fifty years. Erected by his wife, Elizabeth Hungerford White. Defunctus adhunc ministrat I popped that phrase into a Latin to English Google Translate and came up with "Died hitherto serveth"