Dec 2, 2022

Each Thursday night for the last 34 weeks there has been a cool jazz concert at the Westport VFW Post 399 at 465 Riverside Ave. Well known area musicians including Chris Coogan, Brian Torf and Westport’s own Jazz Rabbi, Greg Wall of Beit Chaverim Synagogue have given their audience at the Post a great show.

A great buffet is served by Fairfield’s Latina Cantina which is available for $25.00 per person. For those interested in just the music, a $15.00 cover charge is collected solely for paying the band. The Clinton VFW which is also home to the American Legion post, is volunteer-run with bartenders and staff working for tips.

Last night, the Melissa Newman Quartet performed to a packed house. Newman is a well known singer and artist who lives in Westport and her bandmates last night included Phil Bowler on bass, David Morgan on piano and Bob Leonard on drums.  Another Westport musician, Michael Mossman sat in on trumpet for a few songs in their first set.

For information on upcoming shows visit:  https://vfw399ct.org/event-calendar/ or email jazzatthepost@gmail.com or call 203.227.6796 to make reservations.

Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com  Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

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VFW Post 399 Auxiliary invites the community to buy a wreath, volunteer and/or attend event December 17 at Assumption Greens Farms Cemetery.

Over 2 million volunteers nationwide will be placing wreaths on veterans’ headstones on Saturday, December 17 at 12 Noon as part of “Wreaths Across America”, and Westport for the first time will have a participating cemetery.

“The mission of Wreaths Across America (WAA) is to ‘Remember, Honor and Teach. Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve and their families. Teach the future generations about the sacrifices made to preserve our freedoms’,” explained Patty Kondub, Location Coordinator and VFW Post 399 Auxiliary Junior Vice President.

November 29 is the cut-off date to order a wreath(s) for a veteran’s grave at Assumption Greens Farms Cemetery on Greens Farms Road.

https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/174485?fbclid=IwAR1AWT5JkOKz4b1MrqOYDtF8xoedATMxqh2Qlx161Mw4AZMoI6J4gmmfrIk&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Wreaths may even be designated for a specific veteran at this cemetery by contacting Patty Kondub at nortonpk@aol.com. Volunteers are needed prior to the event to mark graves, pre-position wreaths, and on December 17 to place the wreaths. Kondub is also collecting volunteer information and happy to answer any questions. WAA is a national nonprofit organization founded in 2007 to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992.

WAA receives no government funding, and is not affiliated with any religion or political party. These are not Christmas wreaths, but are veterans’ wreaths or remembrance wreaths.

“It is an honor to head up this event. My father, John Kondub, was a WWII Marine and VFW Post 399 member. He was a Purple Heart Recipient from his hand-to-hand combat in the Japanese Islands. He is buried at Assumption Greens Farms Cemetery, which is just about across from where he was born on a farm before I-95 came along. There are over 200 veterans buried in this cemetery, and I hope they all get a wreath,” wrapped up Kondub.

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At our 29th straight monthly blood drive, VFW Post 399 had over 60 blood donors on Wednesday, November 16th.  A decline in blood donations may soon make it tough to keep blood products stocked on hospital shelves. One pint of blood can save up to three lives. Our next blood drive is scheduled on Thursday, Dec 15th between 11:00am – 5:00pm. For an appointment, please visit www.redcrossblood.org – Use sponsor code: VFWWestport or call 1-800-733-2767.

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