New Canaan's VFW Post 653 Announces Plans to Honor Veterans Day

NEW CANAAN’S VFW POST CELEBRATES VETERANS DAY AT TOWN HALL

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 2025, New Canaan’s VFW Post 653, officially known as Howard M. Bossa and Peter C. Langenus Post 653 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, will lead the annual Veteran’s Day ceremony to honor and commemorate the service of military veterans at New Canaan’s Town Hall Front Plaza. Due to safety and other concerns the VFW and Town officials have decided to change the traditional location for this ceremony from God’s Acre to Town Hall.

Veteran’s Day is distinct from Memorial Day in May which honors those who died while serving in the military. The date and time of the commemoration of Veterans Day links back to Armistice Day, the date that marked the end of World War I. To honor those who served, New Canaan’s VFW Post 653 placed 500 flags on God’s Acre just above the Wayside Cross on Saturday, November 1st, with the assistance of Scouts BSA Troop 45.

In addition to the VFW, various town officials and the Daughters’ of the American Revolution (DAR) will participate in the ceremony. First Selectman Dionna Carlson will introduce the keynote speaker, Major General (Retired) Thomas Bouchard. Please gather at the Town Hall Plaza by 10:45 am, as the ceremony will commence at 10:55 am. Light refreshments will be served in Town Hall immediately after the ceremony, at approximately 11:30am. In the event of rain, the ceremony will take place in Town Hall.

Major General Thomas Bouchard retired in October 2023 after completing over 39 years of service in both the Active and Reserve Components of the US Army. His final assignment was as the Special Assistant to the Director of the National Guard. He previously served as the Deputy Commander for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs at the United States Special Operations Command. MG Bouchard has also served as the Assistant Adjutant General of the Rhode Island Army National Guard and as the Deputy Commander, US Army South. MG Bouchard enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1984 and was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1988. MG Bouchard completed the Army Special Forces Qualification Course in 1993 and transitioned to service in the Rhode Island Army National Guard in 1997. During most of his service, MG Bouchard was assigned to US Army Special Forces units. He has commanded at the Operational Detachment and company levels in the 5th and 19th Special Forces Groups and served as Commander of Special Operations Detachment – Global. MG Bouchard’s deployments include operations in Haiti, Kuwait, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. MG Bouchard’s awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star. During his service, MG Bouchard has earned the Master Combat Infantryman Badge, the Special Forces Tab, the Ranger Tab, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Pathfinder Badge and the Air Assault Badge. MG Bouchard holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin, a Master of Business Administration from Boston College, a Master of Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the US Army War College. In his civilian career, MG Bouchard works as an Economic Analyst for Systems Planning and Analysis. He was previously a Senior Fixed Income Portfolio Manager for DWS Investments. MG Bouchard and his family reside in Stamford, Connecticut.

Mike McGlinn, Commander of VFW Post 653, commented, "Veterans Day is a great day to celebrate and honor all the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces, living or deceased, through out the history of this great country. We come together as a community in New Canaan to pay tribute and thank all veterans for their years of service protecting the freedom we all enjoy.”