To the Editor:

I was honored when Rudy Magnan and Stephen Rosenblatt contacted my office earlier this year and asked if I would like to join them for a senior recognition day event in Newtown.

While I believe people of every age are worth celebrating, our seniors hold a special place in my heart.

It is because of their hard work, sacrifices and service that the American dream lives on and that this remains the greatest country in the world. It is thanks to them that we understand and appreciate the importance of things like tradition, morals and values, and hope and faith. Our seniors and the generations before them quite literally built and shaped the community we love and call home.

We honor their lives with our own. And on April 16, we honored Newtown’s seniors.

I was proud to join with my fellow state delegates, Representatives Mitch Bolinsky, J.P. Sredzinski, and Dan Carter, and Newtown First Selectman E. Patricia Llodra in presenting seniors with a proclamation from the Governor of Connecticut declaring April 16, 2015 Senior Citizen Recognition Day in Newtown. The proclamation was given to Marilyn Place, Director of Senior Services, so that it can have a home at the center for all to see.

A small but meaningful sign of the great respect and value we have for seniors and the bonds that are woven into the fabric of our community, a handful of local businesses donated food for the celebration, including Caraluzzi’s Market, Big Y, My Place, and Atlanta Cheese. Their generosity was enjoyed by about 50 seniors who attended the celebration.

There are many ways we can show our support and appreciation to seniors and the April 16th event was but one. I’m certainly looking forward to next year’s senior recognition day and I hope that more people – of all ages – will come join in the celebration.

Tony Hwang

Newtown State Senator

80 Martingale Lane, Fairfield September 2, 2015