World War II veteran honored during Wilton service

Ann Bryant/Sun Journal

Lt. Col. Michael Backus helps his grandfather, Rudy Toothaker of Wilton, place a wreath on the downtown monument Wednesday during an early Veterans Day service. Backus, of Wilton, and his cousin SFC Mathew Bickford, a Wilton native stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, honored their grandfather for his service in World War II.

 

 

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- Ann Bryant/Sun Journal

Ann Bryant/Sun Journal

Lt. Col. Michael Backus, right, helps his grandfather, Rudy Toothaker of Wilton, place a wreath on the downtown monument on Wednesday during an early Veterans Day Service. Backus, of Wilton, and his cousin, SFC Mathew Bickford, left, a Wilton native stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, honored their grandfather for his service in World War II.

 

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- Ann Bryant/Sun Journal

Ann Bryant/Sun Journal

Lt. Col. Michael Backus, right, gives his grandfather, Rudy Toothaker of Wilton, a certificate of service for his service in  World War II. The honor was bestowed during an early Veterans Day service Wednesday. Backus, also of Wilton, and his cousin, SFC Mathew Bickford, left, a Wilton native stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, honored their grandfather.  

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- Ann Bryant/Sun Journal

Ann Bryant/Sun Journal

Lt. Col. Michael Backus, right, gives his grandfather Rudy Toothaker of Wilton a certificate of service for his part in World War II. The honor was bestowed during an early Veterans Day service Wednesday. Backus, also of Wilton, and his cousin, SFC Mathew Bickford, left, a Wilton native stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, honored their grandfather. 

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- Ann Bryant/Sun Journal

WILTON — A World War II veteran from Wilton who inspired two grandsons to serve their country was honored Wednesday during a well attended Veterans Day service at the monument on Main Street.

Rudy Toothaker, who will turn 85 this month, was surprised when grandson Lt. Col. Michael Backus called him forward to receive a certificate of service signed by the governor along with a commemorative coin, a replica of the State House Hall of Flags.

He was escorted by a second grandson SFC Mathew Bickford, a Wilton native now serving at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, who encouraged Toothaker to attend the service.

Toothaker served as a colonel's driver, Backus said. It can be rough, he added, mentioning his own service and recounting stories from the past of drivers with frozen hands.

This second annual service, restarted in Wilton by the Rev. Douglas Dunlap, Backus and state Rep. Thomas Saviello, U-Wilton, grew in numbers of attendees this year.

"It's one day a year that we pause and reflect on the sacrifices of those who defend our country . . . those who died, were wounded and fought for freedom," Saviello said.

The difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day lies in the history, state Sen. Peter Mills, R-Cornville, told the gathering. Memorial Day began as a way to honor the dead from both sides of the Civil War. Armistice, now Veterans Day, honors not only those who died but all veterans who served, he said.

Members of Boy Scout Troop No. 518 of Wilton lowered and raised the flag, while Dunlap and the Rev. Tim Walmer provided prayers and a benediction.

abryant@sunjournal.com