WHITING — As a small crowd gathers, the sun glints off a large bronze plaque that is displayed on the front of the Whiting Town Hall on Main Street in Whiting. The crowd talks in hushed tones while others quietly read the lists of names.
They are names that represent some of America’s greatest, veterans who are now honored by the residents in the small town of Whiting.
Whiting residents agreed at town meeting this past March that they would honor their veterans with this beautiful plaque. Two members of the town, Elizabeth Curran and Mary Pepe, served on the board that oversaw the creation of this Veteran’s Memorial Plaque. They worked hard over the spring and summer to construct an exhaustive list of the names of the men and women who have served in the armed forces while living in Whiting. The plaque lists veterans dating back to the Revolutionary War.
On Saturday, Nov. 12, the town held a ceremony to dedicate the Whiting Veterans Memorial Plaque to all of the brave veterans of Whiting. National Guard veteran Bob Wood gave a short speech. Long-time resident Victor Quesnel reminisced as he looked over the names on the plaque remembering the lives of those who served. Together the crowd recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Following the ceremony selectboard Chair Ellen Kurrelmeyer invited everyone into the town hall for refreshments. Family members and friends talked and hugged in small groups. More photos are available on the town website: whitingvt.com.
Observers said the town is united like never before as they honor these brave men and women who served in the country in the armed forces.
Rose Curran is a Whiting resident and a freshman at Community College of Vermont.