With masks and social distance, veterans honored in Ridgefield ceremony

RIDGEFIELD — With faces covered in masks and maintaining social distance, Ridgefield honored those who served the country Wednesday with the annual Veterans Day ceremony at Lounsbury House.

The ceremonies were organized by Ridgefield American Legion Post 78, and included members of the Ridgefield Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Marine Veterans of Fairfield County.

Ridgefield Police officer Matthew Seibert, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, was the keynote speaker.

“I have an appreciation for the civil liberties and the freedoms and a lot of what we have in this country today from my service over there,” Seibert said of his stint in Afghanistan. “It definitely has shaped who I am, and the person am today, and how I live my life.”

He continues to serve in the Connecticut Army National Guard in the 85th Troop Command, assisting in mission support from Tropical Storm Isaias to COVID response.

Seibert lives in Woodbury now, with his wife Caitlin and their 1-year-old daughter Mackenzie — who presents a different sort of challenge.

Ridgefielder Evelyn Carr sang patriotic songs.

Cub Scout Pack 74 placed a wreath on the veterans memorial monument in front of Lounsbury House on Main Street, which was followed by the firing of a military honors salute and the playing of “Taps.”