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On Saturday, May 9th, community members, supporters, family, and friends gathered for the unveiling of the United States Colored Regiments Memorial Monument and to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Windsor Freedom Trail. The members of the Freedom Trail consist of Iva Allison, Gay Gardner-Wilson, Patricia Gardner, and Jane Gardner who opened the ceremony with a Welcome on behalf of the committee. “Today, we honor the courage and sacrifice of the African American Civil War veterans who fought for freedom, dignity, and the rights of citizenship. The 19 men named on this memorial either lived in Windsor, were buried here, or had their service credited to Windsor — a community that now ensures their legacy will never be forgotten. This monument stands as a lasting tribute to their service and sacrifice. Today is also a day to reflect on the Windsor Freedom Trail’s 30-year of commitment to preserving and sharing African American history. We also pay tribute to our founding co-chairs, the late Mr. Alfred Narcisse and Mrs. Patricia Narcisse, and the legacy we are committed to keeping alive.” Jane Gardner.
Mayor Nuchette Black-Burke and her son, Ezra Burke, then greeted attendees. The opening prayer was delivered by U.S. Air Force Chaplain Steven Thiel, pastor of Christ Proclamation Church in Windsor and chaplain with the Connecticut Air National Guard’s 103d Airlift Wing at Bradley ANG Base.
The Freedom Trail Committee thanked all who supported the effort, including town and state officials, town staff, and representatives of local veterans’ organizations. Special thanks were extended to those who donated their services: historian John Mills, founder of Alex Breanne Corporation, for his assistance with research and biographies of the men and regiments; Paula Pierce of HostingCT for website design; and Leah Skinner for graphic design assistance. Financial sponsors also recognized were John Carmon of Carmon Community Funeral Homes, Luke Kettles, President and CEO of Windsor Federal Bank, and Town Manager Peter Souza and the Town of Windsor for the Community & Neighborhood Enhancement Grant award.
Kevin Johnson of the State Library’s History and Genealogy Unit reenacted the experiences of Pvt. William Webb, an African American Civil War veteran who served in the 29th Connecticut Volunteer Regiment.
The names of the nineteen men whose names are inscribed on the monument were called by Colonel Wanda Hawley of the VFW in Windsor and Lt. Nicholas Dally of the Windsor Police Department. Col. Hawley is a distinguished retired Army officer who served the nation for more than 30 years. Commissioned in 1990 in the Quartermaster Corps, she held numerous leadership roles, commanded multiple units, and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Her honors include the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit, her highest award. Lt. Dally joined the United States Marine Corps at age 17 and served for eight years before joining the Windsor Police Department in 2016. He now serves as patrol lieutenant and holds several leadership roles, including commander of the Honor Guard Unit, co-commander of the North Central Municipal Emergency Services Team, and coordinator of the department’s Peer Support Program.
An emotional rendition of taps was performed by Alex Sotomayor, a student in the Windsor High School Music Department.
Attending as descendants of Pvt. George Richards and Pvt. Samuel Thompson were Patricia Urso, Jason Lawson, Tricia Urso, Tanya Healis, and Anthony Healis, Jr. (AJ), a fifth-generation descendant. Also, in attendance as descendants of Pvt. William Sharp were Delia Jubrey and Rosella Sharp.
Given that this monument honors the service and sacrifice of African American Civil War soldiers and sailors, it has been designated the newest site on the Connecticut Freedom Trail and the seventh site on the Windsor Freedom Trail. Todd Levine, Coordinator of the Connecticut Freedom Trail, presented the committee with a Connecticut Freedom Trail plaque and flag.
At the close of the ceremony, Iva Allison and Jane Gardner unveiled the monument. This historic day in Windsor’s African American history concluded with a Windsor Freedom Trail 30th Anniversary Reception at the Windsor Town Hall.
The monument is available to the public and is in the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, 122 East Street, Windsor, CT. It will serve as an educational resource for schools, the community, and families exploring possible connections through family history research, while also providing a sacred space to remember these men and honor their service to the Union and the nation.
Biographies of the research on each of the men along with regiment summaries can be viewed on the Windsor Freedom Trail website: windsorfreedmtrailct.org.