Simsbury BSA Troop 76 Ventures Scouts honor Simsbury's Fallen Soldiers

Submitted release 

On April 9, 2004 an Eagle Scout from Troop 76 was killed during the conflict in Iraq — Sgt. Felix M. Del Greco Jr. 

An adult troop committee member, Mark Holowesko, offered an idea to the Venture Scouts in designing a banner to honor Felix for the 2014 Memorial Day parade. After some discussion the plans changed to honor all the Fallen Soldiers named on the memorial stone in front of Eno Hall on the banner.

In the fall of 2012, the venture scouts started researching the names on the memorial stone. Collecting information where they fought or were stationed, when and where they died. Finally where is their final resting place? The scouts and adults realized that Simsbury had NO INFORMATION COLLECTIVELY COMPILED for all the Simsbury’s Fallen Soldiers from the Revolutionary War to the Present. Now the Troop 76 scout’s goal, besides the banner is to compile all the information into a book form and be presented to the town this Veteran’s Day. Additional copies will also be presented to various groups for the public to view. 

THE SCOUTS NEED YOUR HELP!

While researching the names at the memorial stone at Eno Hall, and checking the plague inside Eno Hall, the Honor Roll increased in numbers.

Also, when at the Simsbury Free Library, microfilm of the Farmington Valley Herald dating back to the years of World War II was researched, additional names and articles surfaced.

The scouts are reaching out to all Simsbury residence and those in surrounding towns, do you have any information on the following soldiers from World War II?

• EDWARD J. CYLKOWSKI
• PFC JOSEPH LIPINSKI JR. – KIA - JULY 11. 1943 He has a Tariffville conection.
• TEC5 RICHARD J. TAYLOR – KIA – OCT. 12, 1944

• GRAHAM (first name could be either Thomas or William)

Also, Rev. H.K. Robinson submitted his resignation as pastor of Simsbury Methodist Church to become an Army Chaplain in March of 1944. Reports are that he died while a Chaplain during WWII. Would like to get more information about Rev. Robinson. He was pastor of the Methodist Church for seven years before leaving to become a Chaplain.

If anyone has information about any of the Fallen Soldiers mentioned or other soldiers killed in action with a Simsbury connection, please contact Mark Holowesko, holowesko.mark@comast.net with the information. The information is not limited to the Second World War, but any conflict a soldier with a Simsbury connection was killed in action. They should never be forgotten. The book will be a tribute to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice.