Don Lowe First Selectman Column 5/19/2025
The Memorial Day Parade steps off at 1pm on this Sunday, May 25. As always, it starts on 39N and heads into town where it follows Route 37 to the corner of Saw Mill Road where it turns toward Veterans Field. When the parade reaches Veterans Field, we hold the Memorial Day ceremony, a solemn thirty minute recognition of those who gave their lives in military service to our great country.
This week is National EMS Week, as this country recognizes the important service that these individuals perform for us. Currently our Sherman Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD) is staffed with 29 either EMTs or EMRs, which makes up about half of the department. There is always need for more and if you are ever interested in becoming an EMT, an EMR, or a firefighter, please feel free to reach out to the SVFD or to my office. This is a great group of folks and there is a need for all types of skills.
I’m sad to write of the passing of Rick Hudson who was very active in several ways here in Sherman. In recent years he was a member of the Commission on Aging, the Commander of the Veterans Association, the Chairman of the Republican Town Committee, and a key member of the Senior Center building committee. Rick was an avid meeting attendee and came to my office frequently where we enjoyed spirited discourse, much of it laced with good humor. He cared deeply for Sherman and I will miss him.
On a more joyous note, the Sherman School’s jazz band played a concert at the JCC last Friday and it was fantastic! I’ll write what everyone says about this group of young musicians: they are talented beyond their years. It’s a true pleasure to listen to the music they produce; they are an exciting group of players. Hats off to music teachers and leaders Chris Carlone and Steve Trinchillo, and also kudos to the Sherman School for supporting and seeing value in music, art, and theater for our students.
The Board of Selectmen will hold its regularly scheduled monthly meeting on this Thursday, May 22 in Mallory Town Hall at 7pm. The agenda is posted on the Town website and there is a Zoom link for anyone who wants to enjoy the meeting from their own confines.
Memorial Day across America is replete with lavish parades, backyard barbecues, and the unofficial start of the summer season. It’s a “good time” day with nearly everyone free from the general toils and snares and responsibilities. But we should never forget what Memorial Day truly stands for: it’s a funeral service, a commemoration for those who lost their lives protecting the United States of America in military service. Everyone knows someone touched by such a profound loss. Let’s all spend some quiet moments thinking of those brave souls and their families as we take in Memorial Day.
