Rally for the People of Ukraine: Gallery II
About 200 people were drawn to Westport's Rally to support the people of Ukraine, which began on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Bridge Saturday morning and then moved to Jesup Green. There, speakers - including Senator Richard Blumenthal, Congressman Jim Himes, and several Ukrainians - spoke passionately to the crowd.
A Note from the Photographer-
I have never spoken about the thousands of photos I have published in various media outlets over many years, hoping that my photos will clearly tell the story of the events I cover. This is different. I covered four rallies to support the people of the Ukraine in Fairfield County this week. I have been struck by several things. Not since the 9.11 attacks on our country has there been more sadness and also anger so clearly evident in a large gathering. When I arrived a woman emerged from the car which has just pulled in behind me and we spoke briefly about her family in Kiev. She is Kateryna McLeod and she is my lead photo holding the sign with photos of her family in Ukraine. When the rally ended we arrived at our cars again at the same time and she was on the phone to her family in Kiev who were safe. At least they were yesterday.
You cannot help but feel the anguish and sometimes despair of the people you see and listen to and you cannot help feeling affected. I learned a bit in speaking with Ukrainian-Americans, such as the colors of their flag which most of the world will now recognize anywhere they see it, stand for Sky (blue) and Wheat (yellow) as the Ukraine is known as the bread basket of Eastern Europe. After a Ukrainian would finish speaking to a rally crowd someone would shout out "SLAVA UKRAINI" (Glory To Ukraine). Many in the crowd would shout loudly in unison "GERIYAM SLAVA" (Glory To Heroes). You see pain in may of those faces however you also see the grim determination, fierce pride in their heritage and the love and devotion for their country. We see it in the media with video of a Ukrainian woman offering to give sunflower seeds to a Russian soldier telling him to "put them in his pocket so that flowers will grow when you die here".
On Snake Island a Russian Warship radioed the Ukrainians:
RUSSIANS: "Snake Island, I am a Russian warship. I suggest you lay down your arms and surrender. Otherwise you will be hit. Do you copy?"
UKRAINIANS: (to each other) "Well, this is it. Should I tell him to go f--- himself" Another says "Just in case"
UKRAINIANS: "Russian warship, go f--- yourself"
(Youtube link to radio transmission posted by The Guardian): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y2iVHUMZhg
It was reported that the end of the radio transmission may have indicated that all 13 Ukrainian marines and border guards were killed, however new reports (Fox 10 Phoenix) quoting the Ukrainian Navy says that all are alive and well; "Regarding the Marines and border guards, who were taken captive by Russian occupiers on the island of Snake. We are very happy to learn that our brothers are alive and well," the post, which was published on Monday read in part.
A woman from Ukraine proudly repeated that message on her sign. Near the end of my third rally yesterday I said to a Ukrainian man, one of several who were holding a giant Ukrainian flag which they brought to Darien after they held it at the rally in Southport, I said, "From what I have seen of many people of the Ukraine I think Putin may have bitten off more that he can chew. “
Slava Ukraini! Geroyam Slava!
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
George Wigton, 93, Died; Staples Coach, Navy Veteran, Ohio State Class of 1956
George Wigton, an accomplished and beloved athlete, educator, and coach, passed away at home in the loving arms of his family on March 1, 2022.
George, born in 1929 in Oberlin, Ohio, was married for 70 years to his high school sweetheart, Eleanor Mahan. He served four years in the U.S. Navy, then attended Ohio State University where he played on the varsity basketball and track teams. He graduated in the class of 1956.
For nine years, he coached basketball, track and football at the University of Connecticut. He also taught and coached at Staples High School in Westport, Connecticut, before joining the Athletic Department at Bates College in 1965. He spent 31 years at Bates where he became the longest serving coach for basketball (20 years) and tennis (31 years) in the school's history. He also served as the head coach for men's soccer and men's and women's squash. He was Assistant Director of Athletics from 1974-1984, and retired in 1996.
Coach Wigton was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame and the National Intercollegiate Squash Racquets Association Hall of Fame. George and Eleanor traveled extensively and made friends around the world.
George is survived by his wife Eleanor; daughter Christy and her husband Ray, son Jeff and his wife Michele, son Andy and his wife Christine, daughter Sue and her husband Ken; grandchildren Ben, Matt, Paul, Emmy and Nick Pasquale, Andrew and Spencer Wigton, Drake, Kyle and Adam Smith, and Noah Wigton; and great-grandchildren Isabella Pasquale, Malaya and Simone Pasquale, Ayla Wigton, Avi Smith, and Arrow, Galilee, and Juniper Wigton. George was predeceased by his parents, Charles E. and Elizabeth (nee Lowry) Wigton, and his two brothers, Charles and William Wigton.
A Celebration of Life ceremony will be scheduled in early June. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a gift in George's memory to the Androscoggin Hospice House, 15 Strawberry Avenue, Lewiston, Maine, 04240, or donate online at Androscoggin.org; or the Maine Veterans' Home South Paris Activity Fund, 477 High Street, South Paris, Maine, 04281, or donate online at Mainevets.org/locations/southparisdonations. Memories may be shared in his Book of Memories at www.wilesrc.com. Cremation care and memorial services are being cared for and provided by the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington.
Elderly Woman Seriously Injured during Car Robbery on Post Road East; Three Arrested after Police Pursuit
Westport Police Department
Giovanni Abreu: Robbery in the First Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery in the First Degree, Assault in the First Degree on an Elderly Person, Larceny in the First Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the First Degree, Larceny in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Illegal Transfer of a Firearm, Theft of a Firearm, Engaging Police in Pursuit, and Reckless Driving. Contributed Westport Police Department photoAt approximately 7:00 p.m. on this date, Westport Police officers responded to the parking lot of 1759 Post Road East on a report of the possible theft of a motor vehicle. It was also reported that a person may have been injured during the commission of the crime. Upon arrival, officers determined that a white Hyundai was stolen and that during the theft the owner of the car, a sixty-four-year-old female, suffered a head injury. The victim, who drives for Uber Eats, was picking up an order from Golden Pizza which is located at the above address. Officers believe that while inside the restaurant, the victim observed the suspect enter her unlocked car to steal it, so she went outside to prevent the theft. During this attempt to intervene, the victim suffered the head injury. Officers learned that the person who stole the car was seen getting out of a black car moments before the theft and both cars were last seen traveling together westbound on Post Road East.
An officer who was stationed on the Sherwood Island Connector saw both the stolen Hyundai as well as a black Acura traveling together. Both cars got onto I-95 heading towards Bridgeport. The officer activated his lights and siren in an attempt to get the cars to pull over, but both fled. Due to the severity of the crime, the officer pursued the vehicles. The officer lost sight of the stolen Hyundai but continued to chase the black Acura. The Acura continued on I-95 eventually getting off Exit 29 in Bridgeport. After exiting the highway, the driver lost control and struck an occupied vehicle as well as several parked cars. Two occupants ran from the Acura and the third was detained by the pursuing officer. Bridgeport Police officers were able to quickly apprehend the two people that ran. The Acura that the suspects were in was reported stolen from Hamden, CT earlier today. The car was searched after the arrest and a handgun was located. However, it is not believed that the handgun was used in the commission of the motor vehicle theft at 1759 Post Road East.
An eighteen-year-old male who was identified as Giovanni Abreu as well as two juveniles were taken into custody. All three were charged with the following crimes: Robbery in the First Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery in the First Degree, Assault in the First Degree on an Elderly Person, Larceny in the First Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the First Degree, Larceny in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Illegal Transfer of a Firearm, Theft of a Firearm, Engaging Police in Pursuit, and Reckless Driving.
Mr. Abreu was held in custody on a $100,000.00 bond. Officers are currently completing the necessary paperwork to get the two juveniles transferred to a juvenile detention facility.
The victim in this incident suffered a serious head injury and was transported to Norwalk Hospital for treatment.
This investigation is still very active as we are still looking to recover the stolen Hyundai as well as identify and arrest the person who stole it.
Chief Foti Koskinas was grateful for the hard work of all the officers involved in this incident. He said that their swift actions and teamwork led to the quick arrests of three of the four suspects involved. He also thanked the Fairfield Police Department, Bridgeport Police Department, and the CT State Police for the assistance they provided.
Update: GoFundMe Created for Injured Westport Woman
A GoFundMe has been released for the Westport woman who remains in the ICU due to her injuries from this attack. Click here to donate and learn more.
David Hansell, 79, Died; Air Force Veteran, “what Dave loved most was making people laugh.”
David Hansell, Age 79, passed away peacefully from natural causes in his home in Westport, Connecticut on Thursday, February 10, 2022.
Born on April 9, 1942 and raised in center city Philadelphia, Dave enlisted in the Air Force after graduating from West Catholic High School. From Wyoming to the Philippines, he completed his service honorably and upon discharge entered the Philadelphia Police Department. During this time, he joined the Masonic Temple in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania.
While working as a homicide detective, he met his future wife, Susanne, through mutual friends. They married on August 2nd, 1969. Dave transitioned into corporate security and worked for companies like American Express, Sun Oil, J&L Steel, and LTV Steel where he worked until his retirement. Throughout his career, Dave and Susanne moved from Philadelphia to New York and back to greater Philadelphia settling in their much-loved community of Pine Ridge in Media, where he also became involved in the Danish American Club.
The steel industry brought them to Pittsburgh and Cleveland, Ohio where they lived for many years in Avon Lake and North Olmsted. In retirement, they moved to the Chicago area to be closer to grandchildren, and it was at this time Dave became active in the American Legion in Mundelein, Illinois.
Dave had many passions throughout his life. He loved a good party and even moonlighted as an emcee at a local catering venue for a time. He was a voracious reader and enjoyed biographies, history, and crime stories. He liked going to the movies and playing video games. He was an avid roller skater and competed in pairs dancing events with his partner Linda for many years.
But what Dave loved most was making people laugh. No matter where he went, he was quick to crack a joke or tell a funny story; his humor did not require punchlines.
Dave is survived by his wife Susanne of 52 years, daughter Jennifer (Christopher) Conn, son David (Nora) Hansell, and grandchildren Zachary, Hannah, Sophie and Sally. He is also survived by his brother Ray (Mary Sue) Hansell and sister-in-law Connie Hansell as well as many loving nieces, nephews and extended family. Dave was a loving father, husband, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many. A special thank you to VA Hospital of West Haven, Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County, and his nurse Karen for their care and support. There will be a small service for immediate family members. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to West Catholic Preparatory School, 4501 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19139 or the American Legion Post 867, PO Box 603, Mundelein, IL.