Are top winners of ct veterans parade essay contest will Read Essays on

MEDIA CONTACT: Laura Soll, Communications – CT Veterans Parade, 860-688-4499 or Cell 860-833-4466
WEST SIMSBURY, HAMDEN & MANCHESTER MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
ARE TOP WINNERS OF CT VETERANS PARADE ESSAY CONTEST

Will Read Essays on Thursday, October 27 Public Ceremony at State Capitol Building
HARTFORD, CONN., October 20, 2016 – Three talented middle school students – the top winners of the “2016 Connecticut Veterans Parade Student Essay Contest” – will read their poignant pieces on Thursday, October 27 at 4:00 p.m. at a special ceremony in the Connecticut State Capitol’s Hall of Flags. The public is invited and admission is free.
The 2016 First Place winner is Rachel Coppinger of West Simsbury, an 8^th grader at Henry James Memorial School in Simsbury. As the contest’s top winner, Rachel will ride with one guest in a special vehicle in the 17th annual Connecticut Veterans Parade on Sunday, November 6 in Hartford. In recognition of her achievement, she also will receive an American flag that has flown over the Connecticut State Capitol Building.
The two Runners-Up are Mehr Chhatre of Hamden, a 7^th grader at Hamden Middle School, and Stephanie Hernandez Rodriguez of Manchester, an 8^th grader at Illing Middle School in Manchester.
The 10^th annual statewide competition encouraged 6^th, 7^th and 8^th graders to learn more about the heroism and importance of American servicemen and women throughout our nation’s history, inviting students to write an essay about “What It Means to Be a Veteran.” More than 540 entries were submitted for this contest that is presented by Navy League of the U.S. - Hartford Council and the State of Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs. The judging criteria were: power of the message of the essay; clarity of thought; spelling, punctuation and grammar; and overall comprehension of the topic.
The Connecticut Veterans Parade will step off on Sunday, November 6 at 12:30 p.m. near the State Capitol Building and proceed through Downtown Hartford, rain or shine. One hour before the parade starts, an 11:30 a.m. Wreath-Laying Ceremony will be held at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch to remember all veterans. At that ceremony, there will be color guard, music, and a bugler will play Taps. At 1:30 p.m., there will be a Moment of Silence when parade marchers will stop in place in memory of service members who died while serving their country. At the end of that minute of remembrance, a C-130H aircraft from the Connecticut Air National Guard’s 103^rd Airlift Wing will soar over the procession, in concert with the singing of the National Anthem by Bloomfield resident Anthony Harrington, and the tolling of Downtown Hartford church bells.
New England’s largest veterans parade honors the dedication and sacrifices of servicemen and women from all U.S. conflicts, and offers residents the opportunity to express their thanks in a meaningful way. Close to 3,000 active, retired or honorably discharged members of the U.S. Armed Forces are expected to march, as are veterans groups, patriotic commissions and local municipalities. Musical units, including the Central Connecticut State University Marching Band and high school, middle school, fife & drum and pipe & drum bands, will be featured.
The three top essays are posted at CTVeteransParade.org/participate/essay. Parade info at CTVeteransParade.org or call 860-986-7254; Facebook: Connecticut Veterans Parade; and Twitter: CTVetsParade
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