Catch A Lift Veterans Support Organization Gathers At Compo Beach
On the eve of the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks the community of Westport CT gathered with a group of combat injured veterans of the Catch A Lift Fund to remember that fateful day. The sunset on Compo beach set the stage to hear the stories of three combat wounded veterans who selflessly served their country in Iraq and Afghanistan and how they have been impacted by the non profit organization Catch A Lift Fund. The Catch A Lift Fund aids in the holistic healing of our Nation's combat injured veterans through four core pillars of Nutrition, Fitness, Community, and Emotional Wellness.
Speakers at the event included Clayton Jensen (US Army Master Sergeant) who supported numerous Counterterrorism and Counternarcotics operations as well as hostage rescue, personnel recovery, and national level intelligence collection and analysis. He served four deployments in Afghanistan and two in Iraq. Jason Livingston (US Army Sgt) also spoke. His duty stations included 8-10 CAV 4th Brigade Combat Team 4th Infantry Division Fort Hood Tx , 3/81 Armor 194th Training Brigade Fort Knox KY -Instructor, 1-91 CAV 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Conn Barracks Schweinfurt Germany- Fire Team Leader He deployed to Baghdad Iraq in December 2005 and again in 2010 to Logar Province Afghanistan. And was medically Retired in January 2014. Livingston is a Purple Heart award recipient who received national recognition in 2021 for continued service.
Catch A Lift was founded by Lynn Coffland after her younger brother Chris was killed in Afghanistan on November 11, 2009.
The Town Westport is proud to be an early and ardent supporter of this amazing organization thanks to the leadership of Adam Vengrow and Andy Berman. Many of our local businesses and residents have contributed to the CAL success as well. First Selectman Jim Marpe, Second Selectwoman Jen Tooker and board of Finance member Andrea Moore. Singer/songwriter P.J. Pacifico performed.
CT United Motorcycle Riders Gather At Sherwood Island
Thousands of motorcycles gathered at the staging area, Sherwood Island State Park for the 20th CT United ride to commemorate the attacks on 9/11 Among the many groups were the Red Knights motorcycle club, open to members of the fire service and their families who enjoy riding motorcycles. Membership is open to all firefighters, active or retired, career or volunteer, who have access to a motorcycle and hold a valid motorcycle drivers license.
Fred Haschak from Roslyn, Long Island drove up and paid tribute to his friends Cesar Murillo from Bridgeport and Doug Irgang, also from Roslyn who lost their lives in the WTC on 9.11.2001
One man bright his "Flag Of Honor" which has stripes comprised of all the people who lost their lives on 9.11. I was the photo hit of the day.
Click on the images to enlarge. Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocal.com
Morning Weather Report
Today
Sunny, with a high near 84. Southwest wind 8 to 13 mph.
High Tides: 3:43 AM/4:05 PM
Low Tides: 10:01 AM/10:49 PM
Tonight
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 8 mph.
Tomorrow
Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 9am and noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tomorrow Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Light north wind.