RED WHITE & BLUES

10/13/2026

Signers of the Declaration of Independence: Connecticut, Part 2

By David Vergun


Delegates to the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The 56 delegates who signed the formal break from Britain are all considered Founding Fathers.

Four delegates represented Connecticut. This week's profile features William Williams and Oliver Wolcott.

William Williams
Williams was born to the Rev. Solomon Williams and Mary Porter April 8, 1731, in Lebanon, Connecticut; he had 11 siblings. His father was the pastor of the First Congregational Church in Lebanon.



He studied theology and law at Harvard College and graduated in 1751 at the age of 20 with honorable distinction. Intending to follow his father into the ministry, Williams continued his theological studies under his guidance for about a year before he joined the colonial militia to serve in the French and Indian War with his cousin, Col. Ephraim Williams. He participated in the Crown Point Expedition and the Battle of Lake George in 1755, where his cousin was killed.

After witnessing his cousin's death and disillusioned by the British officers' treatment of colonial troops, Williams returned to Lebanon, where he became a prosperous merchant. He also began engaging in local politics that led to his role in the American Revolution. He was part of the Sons of Liberty and the Connecticut Committee of Correspondence, both of which were in resistance to British policies and taxation.

On Feb. 14, 1771, he married Mary Trumbull, daughter of Jonathan Trumbull Sr., the Colonial governor of Connecticut and the only Colonial governor to openly side with the Patriot movement during the Revolutionary War.

The couple had three children, Solomon, Faith and William Trumbull Williams, Williams served in the lower house of the Connecticut General Assembly from 1757 until 1776, when he was appointed to fill Oliver Wolcott's seat in the Second Continental Congress after he fell seriously ill. At the time, he was also a colonel in the Connecticut militia and resigned his commission to serve as a delegate. Although he arrived in Philadelphia after the vote for the Declaration of Independence, Williams signed the document July 28, 1776. He remained there until 1778, serving on the Board of War and signing the Articles of Confederation. He returned for a brief second term from 1783 until 1784.

During the Revolutionary War, Williams used his wealth to financially support key operations, including the capture of Fort Ticonderoga in 1775.

He returned to the Connecticut General Assembly in 1780, serving in the House of Representatives until 1784, where he held multiple leadership roles including speaker of the house. In 1784, he moved to the Governor's Council, where he served as an assistant and councilor for 24 years until 1803.

Williams' political service coincided with his judicial service, holding county and probate judgeships, and serving as a justice on the Connecticut Supreme Court of Errors from 1784 until 1803.

Williams died Aug. 2, 1811, and was buried in the Trumbull Cemetery in Lebanon. His wife died Feb. 9, 1831, and is also buried there.

The William Williams House in Lebanon is designated a National Historic Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was purchased by the Rev. Solomon Williams in 1748, and he gave it to his son in 1755. Williams lived there for most of his life, and it remains a private residence to this day.

Oliver Wolcott
Wolcott was born Nov. 20, 1726, in Windsor, Connecticut. He was the youngest child of Roger Wolcott and Sarah Drake, and he had 14 siblings. His father was a major general who commanded the Connecticut militia during King George's War, a conflict between the British and French colonies, and was elected colonial governor of Connecticut in 1750, serving until 1754.



In 1747, he graduated from Yale College as a top scholar in his class. Before graduating, Wolcott was commissioned as a captain by the colonial governor of New York, George Clinton, to raise and command a volunteer militia company to defend the northern frontier bordering French-controlled territories during the French and Indian War. His service concluded at the end of the war in 1748, following the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, after which Wolcott moved to Goshen, Connecticut, to briefly study and practice medicine with his brother, Alexander.

When Litchfield, Connecticut, became the county seat of Litchfield County in 1751, Wolcott left medical practice, moved there and was appointed its first sheriff, a position he held for 20 years.

Wolcott married Laura Collins Jan 21, 1755. They had five children, including Oliver Wolcott Jr., who served as aide-de-camp to his father during the Revolutionary War and later became treasury secretary.

Wolcott served in the Connecticut militia during the Revolutionary War, rising to the rank of major general. In August 1776, he led a brigade of Connecticut militia to join Gen. George Washington and the Continental Army in New York City during the New York Campaign. When he reached Washington's camp, Connecticut Gov. Jonathan Trumbull appointed Wolcott commander of all Connecticut militia regiments in New York.



He also played a key role in the Saratoga Campaign, during which he raised thousands of militia volunteers to assist the Continental Army in defending the Hudson Valley and defeating British Gen. John Burgoyne in the Battles of Saratoga, which proved pivotal for the Patriots.

While serving as a delegate at the Second Continental Congress in 1776, Wolcott fell ill and had to withdraw temporarily. He recovered by the fall and returned to add his signature to the Declaration of Independence Sept. 4, 1776, along with other late signers Robert Henry Lee and Elbridge Gerry. Wolcott served until 1783, except in 1779 when he was not elected as a delegate. His attendance was sporadic because of his military responsibilities in the Connecticut militia.

Wolcott served as lieutenant governor of Connecticut from 1786 until 1796, when he assumed the office of governor when Samuel Huntington died Jan. 5, 1796. He was elected to the office in April 1796 and served until his death Dec. 1, 1797.

He was buried in East Cemetery in Litchfield. His wife, who died April 19, 1794, is also buried there.

The Litchfield home Wolcott built in 1753 on land his father gifted him, is designated as a National Historic Landmark. Today, the Oliver Wolcott House is privately owned by family descendants and is not open to the public.

The towns of Wolcott, Connecticut; Wolcott, Vermont; and Wolcott, New York, are named for him. The Oliver Wolcott Technical High School in Torrington, Connecticut, is also named in his honor.

This is the 18th installment in a series of articles about the men who signed the Declaration of Independence. The 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress, representing the 13 colonies, are all considered Founding Fathers.

10/13/2026

Medal of Honor Monday: Army Sgt. Alvin York

By David Vergun

Army Sgt. Alvin C. York, an infantryman, received the Medal of Honor for valor due to his heroic actions during a World War I operation in France, actions that would be immortalized in the 1941 film "Sergeant York."



York was born Dec. 13, 1887, in Pall Mall, Tennessee. His father, William Uriah York, was a blacksmith, hunter and farmer on their 75-acre plot. His mother, Mary Elizabeth York, was a busy housewife, tending to their 11 children. York had minimal schooling. He helped with the farm and became a sharpshooter, skills honed from years of hunting.

In November 1917, York was drafted into the Army, despite claiming conscientious objector status. He went to basic military training at Camp Gordon, Georgia, with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 328th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Infantry Division, the unit he would remain with throughout the war.



In June 1918, he arrived in France. In September, his regiment participated in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and later engaged in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the largest World War I American operation.

During this offensive and on the date of his valor, Oct. 8, 1918, York, a corporal at the time, and his unit were tasked with capturing a railroad. The platoon got lost in the forest behind enemy lines and soon were met with machine-gun fire.

Nine members were killed, including all of the noncommissioned officers, leading York to assume command of the platoon. Fearlessly leading the remaining seven men, he charged toward a machine-gun nest which was pouring incessant fire at his platoon.



At the time, York was carrying a r***e and a pistol. During his heroic ordeal, he used his hunting skills to silence the machine-gun nest, killing 25 Germans and leading to the enemy commander surrendering. All in all, his unit took 132 prisoners.

York was promoted to sergeant Nov. 10, 1918, just a day before the end of the war, honored today as Veterans Day. The Medal of Honor was presented to him the following April in France, by Army Maj. Gen. George B. Duncan, 82nd Infantry Division commander.

On May 22, 1919, he arrived back in the U.S., to a hero's welcome, aboard the cargo ship SS Ohioan and was discharged from the Army a week later.

The next month, he married his childhood sweetheart, Gracie Loretta Williams. They had eight children, with three of his sons going on to serve in the military.

Following the war, local nonprofit and other civic organizations raised enough money to build York a large, two-story home and to purchase 400 acres of land for him along the Wolf River in Pall Mall.



York committed the rest of his life to philanthropic causes, establishing a Bible school in his hometown, founding the Alvin C. York Foundation to increase economic and education opportunities in eastern Tennessee and founding the Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute in Jamestown, Tennessee.

During World War II, York tried to reenlist and serve in combat. However, he had health issues that prevented his request. Instead, he served stateside as an Army major, in the Army Signal Corps giving motivational speeches to troops, teaching marksmanship and promoting war bonds.

York died Sept. 2, 1964, and was buried at Wolf River Cemetery in Pall Mall. His wife died Sept. 27, 1984, and was buried beside him.



York's grandson, retired Army Col. Gerald E. York, was in the Army for 31 years, serving in combat during the Vietnam War. He continues to work to preserve his grandfather's legacy, running the Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation, which supports education opportunities in eastern Tennessee.

His Medal of Honor is on display at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville.

The site of his birthplace log cabin and his postwar farmhouse are preserved as part of the Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park in Pall Mall.



The film "Sergeant York" is loosely based on his upbringing and wartime experience. Gary Cooper, the lead actor, won an Academy Award for his realistic portrayal of York.

A bronze statue of him is on the grounds of the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville. The Alvin C. York Institute that he founded is now a high school. The Alvin C. York Hospital in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and the Alvin C. York Bridge that spans the Tennessee River are named for him, as well as York Avenue in New York City.

10/13/2026

Medal of Honor Monday: Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone

By David Vergun

Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone was an infantryman during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions on Guadalcanal in 1943, and two years later, he posthumously received the Navy Cross for his gallantry during the Battle of Iwo Jima.



Basilone was born Nov. 4, 1916, in Buffalo, New York, and when he was 2, his family moved to Raritan, New Jersey. He was the sixth child born to Salvatore, an Italian immigrant, and Dora; he had nine siblings.

He attended St. Bernard Parochial School in Raritan, but after completing middle school in 1931, he dropped out to work as a golf caddy at the local country club.

In July 1934, Basilone enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the 16th Infantry Regiment at Fort Jay on Governors Island, New York City. However, he wanted to go overseas, so after a few months he accepted a discharge and reenlisted the following day. He joined the 31st Infantry Regiment and immediately deployed to the Philippines, where he served for two years.

While in Manila, Basilone earned a reputation as a formidable amateur boxer, and he acquired the nickname "Manila John." His time in the Army served him well later in the Marine Corps, where he became an expert marksman.

Upon his honorable Army discharge in 1937, Basilone returned to the U.S. and worked as a truck driver in Reisterstown, Maryland. However, he wanted to return to the Philippines and to military life. So, in July 1940, with war looming, he enlisted in the Marine Corps.

Basilone attended basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, and was deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in September 1940.

He was reassigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, in January 1941, and in September 1942, his unit landed on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.

He was serving as a Marine Corps sergeant in the Lunga area of Guadalcanal Oct. 24, 1942, when about 20,000 Japanese soldiers attacked his unit as they defended Henderson Airfield.

His Medal of Honor citation states that while the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Basilone, who was in charge of two sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage assault. In a fierce frontal attack, one of Basilone's sections, with its gun crews, was put out of action, leaving only two men able to carry out the counterattack.

Moving an extra gun into position, he placed it in action, then, under continual fire, repaired another and personally manned it until replacements arrived. Later, with am******on critically low, Basilone risked his life and battled his way through hostile lines with shells for his gunners, thereby contributing in large measure to the virtual annihilation of a Japanese regiment.

Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Alexander A. Vandegrift, commanding general of the 1st Marine Division, presented Basilone with the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in Balcombe, Australia, May 21, 1943.



The Marine Corps offered to make him an officer and let him spend the rest of the war in Washington, but he turned them down. Basilone participated in war bond tours in the U.S., but he grew restless again. After repeated denials, the Marine Corps finally approved his request to return overseas in December 1943, but first sent him to Camp Pendleton, California, for training.

He was promoted to gunnery sergeant in March 1944 and formally reenlisted in July. That same month, he married Lena Mae Riggi, a sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve.

In August 1944, Basilone returned to the Pacific theater and was assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. In January 1945, his unit sailed for the island of Iwo Jima in the Western Pacific Ocean.

On Feb. 19, 1945, Basilone was killed by a mortar shell during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He posthumously received the Navy Cross for his gallantry.

The citation states that shortly after landing on the island, his company's advance was held up by the concentrated fire of a heavily fortified Japanese blockhouse. Basilone boldly defied the enemy bombardment and worked his way around the flank and up to a position directly on top of the blockhouse. Then, attacking with grenades and demolitions, he single-handedly destroyed the entire hostile strong point and its defending garrison. Later in the day, he proceeded to the aid of an American tank that was trapped in an enemy minefield. Under intense mortar and artillery barrages, Basilone guided it to safety. Minutes later, he was instantly killed when a Japanese mortar round exploded.

He was 28 years old.

Basilone's widow accepted the Navy Cross, signed by Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal, during a private ceremony in September 1945.

Basilone is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. His wife died June 11, 1999, and was buried in her home state of California.



There's a bronze statue of Basilone in Raritan, as well as several roads and bridges named for him. In 1981, the city held the first John Basilone Memorial Parade, an annual event held on the third Sunday in September; the route includes Basilone Boulevard, named for him in 2022.

At Camp Pendleton, two highways and a drop zone bear his name.

The destroyer USS Basilone sailed from 1945 to 1977. The guided-missile destroyer USS John Basilone was commissioned Nov. 9, 2024.

In 2005, Basilone was among the four Marines featured in the Postal Service's "Distinguished Marines" commemorative stamp set.

In 2014, the Basilone Memorial Foundation was established as a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting military veterans and their families, as well as individuals and families impacted by cancer.

Basilone's Medal of Honor and Navy Cross are on display at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Virginia.

10/04/2026

10/04/2026

Washington Has a Chance to Save Veterans' Lives

By Juliana Mercer

I graduated from Marine Corps boot camp a couple weeks before September 11, 2001. I had no idea how profoundly 9/11 would change the trajectory of my life.

I went on to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan. Between deployments, I worked at the Wounded Warrior Battalion in San Diego, supporting Marines as they rebuilt their lives. What I did not understand was how deeply I was absorbing their grief and losses.

That became clearer when I later deployed to Afghanistan during one of the deadliest periods of the war for Marines. I purposefully stopped counting the flag-draped coffins as they were loaded onto planes to return home, swallowing my grief so I could return to the mission.

I became paralyzed watching young Marines go outside the base, thinking about their families and whether they would see them again. I began hallucinating that wounded Marines I cared for were walking toward me in the war zone. I now recognize that, alongside my own PTSD, I was carrying secondary PTSD from caring for wounded Marines.

With every loss, I swallowed what I felt just to keep functioning. I kept moving forward, until everything I buried became impossible to ignore.

I did not recognize what was happening until five years after returning home. I sought help. Therapy helped me feel less alone, but my symptoms continued to affect my life and relationships.

My experience is not unique. 870,000 veterans receiving VA health care were diagnosed with PTSD in 2024. Since 9/11, nearly 150,000 veterans have died by su***de. Many continue searching for relief after available treatments have failed.

That is why veterans are cautiously hopeful about psychedelic treatments.

Studies of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression show significant reductions in depressive symptoms, with up to one-third of patients achieving remission in some trials. Research involving veterans with PTSD found that 75% were in remission one month after psilocybin treatment.

I followed the research before pursuing psilocybin treatment myself. During that experience, I was finally able to access the grief I spent decades burying. It did not erase what happened or the memories of the Marines I lost. It changed my relationship with those memories. They no longer controlled my life.

I reconnected to the self I had lost and was able to feel joy and love again.

Psychedelic medicines are not a cure-all. But veterans pursuing them are not looking for shortcuts. Many have spent years doing everything the medical system asked while continuing to search for relief.

Our government is beginning to recognize the potential of new approaches.

This year, President Trump signed an executive order to accelerate research and reduce barriers to psychedelic treatments for serious mental illness. VA is conducting clinical trials of M**A for PTSD and psilocybin for depression. In July, FDA finalized guidance for clinical trials involving psychedelic drugs.

If these treatments receive FDA approval, the healthcare system must be ready to deliver them responsibly -- through DEA action, clear safeguards, and VA facilities prepared to provide care.

Our country asks a great deal of those who serve. If evidence demonstrates that these treatments are safe and effective, veterans should not wait years longer because Washington failed to prepare for success.

Juliana Mercer is a Marine Corps veteran and executive director of Healing Breakthrough. A version of this column was published in Stars and Stripes.

Keybridge Communications is a DC-based public relations firm specializing in op-eds, issues advocacy, writing, media placement, PR and web development.

10/01/2026

Newport Mansions Announces Six Weeks of Holiday Programming Including the Return of Christine Baranski and Skylark in “A Musical Retelling of ‘A Christmas Carol’”

Tickets now on sale for beloved annual Sparkling Lights at The Breakers Presented by BankNewport



NEWPORT, R.I. — The Preservation Society of Newport County (Newport Mansions) has announced six weeks of holiday programming and events including “A Musical Retelling of ‘A Christmas Carol,’ Performed by Skylark and Narrated by Christine Baranski,” December 17 at 7pm at The Breakers; Holiday Dinner Dance at the Breakers, December 19; and the return of the beloved annual Sparkling Lights at The Breakers presented by BankNewport, November 21 – December 27 from 4-8pm. Ticketing information for all events is available at NewportMansions.org/Events.

An Emmy-and Tony Award-winning actress, Baranski is one of the current stars of Julian Fellowes’ “The Gilded Age” on HBO. She will join Skylark, one of the world’s leading vocal ensembles led by Grammy-nominated Artistic Director Matthew Guard, for an exclusive one-night-only musical retelling of the Charles Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol,” generously supported by Carol and David Bazarsky. Tickets will be available October 20 for Preservation Society members, and October 22 for the general public.

Additionally, spectacular holiday decorations will be on view at The Breakers, Marble House, and Chateau-sur-Mer, November 21 – January 3, including nearly 30 exquisitely decorated Christmas trees, and a 15-foot-tall poinsettia tree in the Great Hall of The Breakers.

The Preservation Society is also seeking the donation of two 20 to 30-foot evergreen trees which will be strung with lights in Washington Square and at Marble House. Interested parties can call 401-846-7718 to provide contact information and a brief description of the tree.

A full outline of Newport Mansions' holiday events can be found below.

Holidays at the Newport Mansions 2026
November 21 – January 3
The Breakers & Marble House Open Daily
Chateau-sur-Mer Open Saturdays & Sundays Only

Surround yourself with the magic of the Newport Mansions in all their festive holiday finery. The Breakers, Marble House and Chateau-sur-Mer welcome visitors with spectacular holiday displays throughout the houses. Nearly 30 Christmas trees are exquisitely decorated to complement the décor and theme of each room, like Mr. Vanderbilt’s tree in The Breakers, ornamented with trains and top hats! Hundreds of poinsettias, garlands, wreaths and fresh floral arrangements add color, warmth and life. As always, the 15-foot-tall poinsettia tree in the Great Hall of The Breakers – made up of 150 poinsettia plants – provides a perfect holiday photo opportunity.

Sparkling Lights at The Breakers presented by BankNewport
November 21 – December 27 | 4-8pm
The Breakers

Now in its 7th season, Sparkling Lights at The Breakers brings the magic of the holidays to this landmark Gilded Age mansion. Stroll along a half-mile-long path glittering with hundreds of thousands of holiday lights while music fills the winter air. See illuminated displays and sparkling surprises along the way. Tour the opulent interior of The Breakers decorated in holiday splendor. Enjoy holiday treats and adult beverages for purchase at the back terrace and The Breakers Welcome Center. A special Member Night will be held December 13 during which members and their guests will enjoy special offerings including giveaways and family activities.

Holiday Wreath-Making Workshop
December 5 | 10am-12pm
The Breakers Greenhouse

Led by Jeff Curtis, Director of Gardens & Landscapes, The Preservation Society's Holiday Wreath-Making Workshop offers instructions on how to create one-of-a-kind holiday wreaths using locally sourced materials. Participants will be provided with wreath-making materials.

Behind the Scenes: Holiday Decorations
December 10 at The Breakers | 10-11am
December 17 at Marble House | 10-11am

Learn how the magic of holiday decorating comes together at Newport’s iconic mansions. These tours of The Breakers and Marble House interior holiday decorations will be hosted by Jim Donahue, The Preservation Society of Newport County’s Curator of Historic Landscapes and the creative genius behind our holiday glamour. Donahue will discuss how the decorations are created and installed and share tips and tricks to use at home.

A Musical Retelling of “A Christmas Carol,” Performed by Skylark and Narrated by Christine Baranski
Thursday, December 17 | 7pm
The Breakers

Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with Skylark, one of the world’s leading vocal ensembles, in the spectacular holiday setting of The Breakers. Under the direction of Grammy-nominated Artistic Director Matthew Guard, Skylark brings together some of America’s finest voices.

This exclusive, one-night-only event features Skylark’s acclaimed musical retelling of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” narrated by Emmy- and Tony Award-winning actress Christine Baranski, one of the stars of Julian Fellowes’ “The Gilded Age.” Through soaring choral music and evocative storytelling, Dickens’ classic tale of hope and redemption comes vividly to life in one of America’s most iconic properties. A 6pm reception with complimentary access to Sparkling Lights at the Breakers will precede the 7pm performance. Tickets will be available October 20 for Preservation Society members, and October 22 for the general public. This performance is generously supported by Carol and David Bazarsky.

Holiday Dinner Dance at The Breakers
December 19
The Breakers

Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with an unforgettable black-tie evening at The Breakers. The festivities begin with cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres surrounded by elegant holiday décor, setting the stage for a spectacular evening. Guests will enjoy dinner served in the Great Hall or the State Dining Room, followed by an evening of dancing in the stunning Music Room. Join us for an elegant celebration filled with festive cheer, fine dining, and dancing in one of Newport’s most iconic settings. Tickets will be available October 7 for Preservation Society members, and October 13 for the general public.

ABOUT NEWPORT MANSIONS | THE PRESERVATION SOCIETY OF NEWPORT COUNTY

The Preservation Society of Newport County is Rhode Island's largest cultural organization, protecting, preserving and presenting the best of Newport County's architectural heritage. As a nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Preservation Society's 11 historic properties – seven of them National Historic Landmarks – span more than 250 years of American architectural and social development from the Colonial era to the Gilded Age.

Through its historic properties, educational programs and related activities, the Preservation Society engages the public in the story of America’s vibrant cultural heritage. Today, these "Newport Mansions" are an integral part of the living fabric of the city in which they stand.

For more information, please visit NewportMansions.org.