Daily Five: Groton WWII Veteran To Receive Medals Lost 66 Years Ago

1.  Today is Friday, Aug. 31.  The National Weather Service predicts sunny skies and a high temperature of 85 degrees, then a mostly cloudy night with a low of 67 degrees.

2.  Edward A. Beebe, a World War II veteran from Groton, will receive service medals today that he lost 66 years ago.   Beebe enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 and served aboard the destroyer USS Ralph Talbot in 1944 and 1945, and in the Navy Reserves as a Fireman First Class. He worked at Electric Boat from 1950 until retiring in 1980.

Beebe’s family contacted U.S. Rep. Joseph Courtney about getting replacement medals along with some he never received, and they will be given to him at 1:30 p.m. today at 20 Mohegan Road in Noank.

The medals include: the American Theater Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal with two bronze stars, Combat Action ribbon, Discharge Button, and Honorable Service lapel pin.

3.  The Board of Assessment Appeals will meet in September to hear appeals of assessments of the 2011 Motor Vehicle Grand List. To make an appointment, call the assessor’s office at (860) 441-6660. Hearings will be held from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sept. 13, Sept. 19, Sept. 20 and Sept. 24, and from 9 a.m. until noon on Sept. 22 in the finance department conference room in town hall.

4.  Boy Scout Troop 2 at Johnson’s True Value Hardware to help offset the cost of their activities and to support the Boy Scouts of America. If you like popcorn (and who doesn’t?) it’s a chance to support a good cause.

5.  The Friends of Fort Griswold will hold its at 6:45 p.m. on Sunday at Fort Griswold to honor those who died in the Battle of Groton Heights. The candlelight vigil will be held at dusk, with each name read, then a candle put out to represent the sacrifice each made. The event is free and open to the public, and all veterans are welcome to participate.  If it rains, the event will be held in the City of Groton Municipal Building.