THE
ROWAYTON LIBRARY PRESENTS... and wishes to thank the dedicated men and women of our military services. For more information on our events, please see Our Online Calendar |
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Follow the Journey of the Rowayton Library & Community Center Flag as it Travels around Iraq |
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Once upon a time (actually last October), the Rowayton Library received a letter from a local business owner - Barry Natale, Captain of a tour boat that operates out of the 5-Mile River. In his letter, Natale passed the word that the 2009 touring season would be an abbreviated one for him and his crew due to an impending absence for military duty. Natale, a Chief Boatswain Mate with the United States Coast Guard, has since deployed to Iraq and has traveled to various Forward Operating Bases (FOB’s) during the past 6 months. Upon his release next summer, Chief Natale and his wife Neisha fully intend to return to the Rowayton waterfront and resume cruising Long Island Sound and beyond. We all look forward to their return. Shortly after receiving his letter, the Rowayton Library became Chief Natale's pen pal. One might ask what is a Norwalk Coast Guard Reservist doing in the deserts of Iraq? And you might read the article in The Hour, December 3, 2009: Click HERE to read that article: Norwalk Coast Guard officer calls his assignment in Iraq rewarding As a library, we wanted Barry to feel right at home (as much as his Middle Eastern duty assignment will allow), so we sent books for him and the RAID crew to read and snacks for them to enjoy. We also sent a subscription to the newspaper The Hour so Barry could catch up on life at home on a daily basis (THANK YOU the HOUR for arranging for this). And, Barry offered to share his experiences with our little community by taking the Library's American Flag with him on missions and updating us on its travels. So, here we begin with pictures and anecdotes and a wish for the safe return of our flag bearer Chief Natale, and our flag. When he returns, we will proudly fly our new well-traveled flag over the Rowayton Library and Community Center. We wish Chief Natale and his RAID Team shipmates safe passage and a speedy return.
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Follow the Flag's Journey...
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Dear Cynthia, The Rowayton Library flag was flown over Iraq for the first time on 11 JAN 10. It accompanied me on a Blackhawk flight to FOB Kalsu. Details of this journey will follow once I compile my notes into an intelligible form. If all goes as planned, the flag will next be flown to VBC in Baghdad (please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Victory). Nautically yours, |
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February 14, 2010 Haircuts in Iraq are only $4.50 each so Chief Natale gets them two at a time. |
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We thank the Rowayton Civic Association and many other local sponsors for their generous contributions towards our programs. And, of course, we thank the members of the Rowayton community who contribute time and funds to help keep this Library... just right for Rowayton. |
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