A Patriotic Pact

As Weston marked its nine-year long relationship with the military, Wilton helped honor the occasion.

On Sunday, Weston signed a Community Covenant with the Military. The pact represents the town's support for the military and its pledge to continue improving life for the military, their families, and veterans. Sen. Toni Boucher (R-26) was among the elected officials present during the ceremony inside the Weston High School auditorium.

"It's truly a privilege for me to be here with the Weston folks," said Boucher. "What an incredible opportunity to say thank you to our soldiers. Weston is an excellent example for others. Every American city and town should be doing this."

Several active duty servicemen and women were present as well as veterans. In addition, U.S. Congressman Jim Himes, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, Rep. John Stripp, (R-135) and Weston's First Selectman Gayle Weinstein made brief remarks.

Since the U.S. went to war in Afghanistan Weston has sent thousands of pounds of care packages, hundreds of soccer balls, cell phones, and letters to front line troops.

"It's unique in the United States that a small community which has no direct link to the military is helping," said Weston resident Gil Sanborn, Civilian Aid to the Secretary of the Army for Connecticut.

Of the 3,800 Connecticut residents serving in the National Guard, about 1,000 are deployed in Iraq. Four months ago about 100 National Guard troops deployed for Afghanistan.

The United States is now in its ninth year of war in Afghanistan and eighth year of war in Iraq. More than 37,000 troops have been wounded in action, more than 5,000 killed. But because it is an all-volunteer military, only one percent of the nation's population serves.

"That force serves all of us no matter what their orders are, no matter what the conflict is," said Sanborn, who started fundraising, adopting platoons and raising awareness about the military's needs after 9/11.

Weston and its residents have also supported dozens of platoons, particularly the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Infantry Division, otherwise known as the "Dagger Brigade."

Colonel J.B. Burton was the brigade's commanding officer during its deployment in 2006-2007. At the time he and his unit commanders embraced the support from Weston. Burton addressed the more than 200 people in the auditorium.

"Without question Weston has truly demonstrated what an army family covenant is about without realizing there would ever be one," Burton said. "That touch of America to troops in combat means so much. The truth is – we're all in this together."

Burton spoke during Sunday's program and showed a short documentary "The Surge: The Untold Story." He explained how the additional brigades sent to Iraq in 2006-2008 prevented the country from disintegrating. Now, he said, the future promises a more stable nation.

The links soldiers make with Iraqi civilians helps stabilize the country, Burton said. When soldiers go door-to-door to meet with Iraqi families, a more unified front is attained.

In addition, when soldiers make seemingly small gestures, such as handing out soccer balls to Iraqi children links are forged, said Boucher. One Wilton soldier, PFC Nick Maderas had hoped to spread soccer across the country. But he was killed in action in 2006, she said.

"More then 30,000 soccer balls have been distributed across Iraq with Nick Madaras's name on them," Boucher said of the Kick for Nick program.

Sanborn asked those present to remember the hundreds of troops out on combat patrols at any given time of the day or night.

To illustrate his point, he repeated a quote attributed to George Orwell: "'We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.'"

"I would update that for today," Sanborn said to include all the men and women who stand ready. "We all have a duty to help them and to leave politics at the door."