Service of Merchant Marines Recognized in Tolland

The sacrifice of Tolland's merchant marine veterans has been recognized with the addition of the branch's insignia on the Tolland Green memorial.

Veteran's Recognition Commission member Lee Ann Fritsch said that the commission arranged for a Memorial Day ceremony after a Merchant Marine's spouse asked why the branch was not included on the memorial.

"You don't ever really hear about them," Fritsch said of the service, which is not as readily recognized, at times. 

The U.S. Merchant Marines are a fleet of U.S. commercial ships that are crucial to transporting and delivering supplies to the armed forces around the world during times of conflict, according to the Merchant Marine Academy website.

A ceremony unveiling the branch's insignia was held during . The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard services are also included on the memorial.