The public is invited to attend the dedication of Branford’s new World War II Memorial Monument at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 at the monument location in Veterans Memorial Park, 120 Brushy Plain Road.

The dedication ceremony will be hosted by the Town of Branford, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 12106, and American Legion Post 83.

The memorial recognizes all who served during WWII and also serves to remember and honor the 36 residents who did not survive the war to return home to Branford.

The effort to bring the WWII monument to Branford was a cooperative effort that became finalized in the past year with a special assist provided by local veterans including VFW Post 12106 member Chuck Larkins (U.S. Air Force, Vietnam War) and American Legion Post 83’s Tom Sudac (CP U.S. Army National Guard, Korean War).

Larkins said the Nov. 5 WWII monument dedication will help to honor the efforts of the late Vincent Thomas, a Branford WWII veteran, VFW member, and American Legion member who passed away in June of 2022. Larkins said Thomas had been advocating for Branford to have a WWII Memorial Monument “for years.”

Thomas served during World War II with the U. S. Navy. An Iwo Jima survivor, Thomas helped establish in Connecticut the nation’s only Iwo Jima Memorial Monument honoring those who specifically fought in the battle (learn more at Zip06/The Sound’s 2015 interview with Thomas). Thomas was a 60-year member and a Past Commander of American Legion Post 83, and served as its historian for 35 years.

“I met Vinnie once late last year to discuss what we had come up with,” said Larkins of plans for Branford’s WWII Memorial Monument. “We got approval from both organizations and the Town and the project was set in motion. Unfortunately, Vinnie passed away before it was completed.”