Ellington Patriotic Committee Wants to Start Admitting Student Members

If you went to last year's "Wreaths Across America" event in December — where a group of local community members placed wreaths on the graves of Ellington's veterans — you might have noticed a number of Boy Scouts participating as flag bearers.

None of those young men, however, were actually part of the committee that coordinated the event, the Ellington Ad Hoc Patriotic Committee.

But, that may very well change soon.

The committee wants to begin accepting student members from the high school ages of 14-17, and to have them help out in planning future patriotic events such as the upcoming wreath-laying ceremony in December, said J. Wiley Dumas, one of the committee's members.

Dumas said the committee voted unanimously at a recent meeting to accept youth members and it will formally present the proposal to the Board of Selectmen for approval during its monthly meeting on Oct. 21 — although he said he anticipates the board to approve the idea without any issue.

Formed in 2010, the Ellington Patriotic Committee is a nonpartisan, non-idealogical body that promotes patriotism in all forms in town, and develops and plans programs that foster patriotism among the town's citizens, Dumas said. Some examples include a flag retirement ceremony, done each year around Flag Day, and assistance in the Memorial Day ceremony.

Recently the group helped out in the preparations for the open house ceremony for Ellington Marine Greg Caron.

But, since its inception, the group has only been open to adults. Dumas said the committee wants to expand into the younger demographic so that high school-aged teens can become more civically involved in what's happening in their community. 

"We want to make sure we get our youth involved in voluntary community service rather than court ordered," he said with a laugh.

Dumas said he looks at the youth involvement as a "stepping stone" to more civic and social responsibility.

"If they get more involved now before they graduate, they’ll likely stay involved," he said.

And, he said, the committee wants to hear input and ideas from the teens for future events.

"Just because they aren’t of legal age to vote doesn’t mean they don’t have good ideas that people should listen to," Dumas said.

Those interested in learning more about the committee can check the town's website for more information. 

The committee also has a few vacancies right now, and those interested in applying can do so by checking this press release or contacting 860-870-3100. You can get a Statement of Interest form here.