Benedict Arnold is Alive and Well in Branford

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With that exchange, the Second Company Foot Guard, one of the oldest continuously serving military units in the United States, began the next chapter of its historic life at the Branford Armory, now 96 years old.

The guard officially changed its residence Saturday from New Haven to Branford.

As in any move, treasures were given special attention. The Foot Guard’s revered American flag was removed from the New Haven Armory on Goffe Street, where the guard has been stationed for 239 years, and taken into the Branford Armory. Next was the portrait of Benedict Arnold, who served as the foot guard’s first commander.

Major Laffin of Hamden told DaRos that the company’s portrait of Benedict Arnold ​“was in the New Haven armory and stood in the major’s office for 70 years. [It] will now hang in the major’s office here, in our new home, in Branford.”
 
DaRos told Laffin: ​“We want you to know that we are very proud to be part of your history now. You are all welcome into the building at any time. We are all glad to be here today.”

Then Corp. Owen Davidson, 27, of North Haven, the youngest member of the foot guard, symbolically turned a gold set of keys into a lock to open the doors to the foot guard’s new home.

Just two hours earlier at the New Haven Armory, the two oldest members of the guard, Major Fred Haesche and Col. William Gargano, closed the armory door, officially leaving the imposing brick building.

New Haven’s armory on Goffe Street is expected to close at year’s end. There is no plan for the building as of yet.

The ceremony at noon Saturday at the Branford Armory, which sits at the intersection of Montowese Street and Pine Orchard Road, capped two chilly and rainy parades, one in New Haven, the other in Branford. State Representatives Lonnie Reed and Pat Widlitz joined DaRos and Second Selectman Fran Walsh (all pictured) to march with the footguard as they came into Branford. 

The parades provided the transition from city to town for the famous company, which began when Connecticut had two capitol cities: Hartford, where the first Company Governor’s foot guard is located, and New Haven, where the second one took root.
 
Benedict Arnold was born in Norwich on January 14, 1741. He rose through the ranks to become an American general who later defected to Great Britain and was termed a traitor. But those in the foot guard spoke of him with reverence and respect, preferring to dwell on his accomplishments as the first commander.

Captain Richard Keenan Greenalch, Jr. (pictured), 53, has been a member of the foot guard for 28 years. A lawyer and a longtime member of the Representative Town Meeting, Greenalch said he joined the guard because he has had a deep interest in the military. His interest brought him to the foot guard when he first saw the Colonial red and gold coats and high bearskin hats. He liked that look and knew this was the place for him.

According to the foot guard’s website, the ​“Dress Winter Reds” uniform consists of a scarlet coat with blue facing, silver braid and buttons. ​“The coat cuts away at the front showing a white vest and ends in tail just below the back of the knees. White knee breeches, black leggings, large bearskin shako, white cross straps and officer’s belts finish off this uniform…” 

The guard is often in demand and attends all inaugurations for the governor and for United States presidents. Then there are the parades, the color guards, the trips abroad for different ceremonial occasions.

There are men and women in the guard. The first women were admitted in the late 1990s.
 
Alice Cronin of Seymour, who held the portrait of Benedict Arnold in the top photo above, says the foot guard is her blood. Her grandfather was a member for 46 years at the time of his death. She came into the guard a month later. ​“Fifty-eight years of family tradition,” she said proudly.

There is clearly a need for young recruits. Greenalch says he expects Branford will be a good place to find them. They may apply at age 18.

Many at the Branford armory Sunday were veteran of wars and worlds far away, including the Heavy Tank Company of the 43rd division, 102nd Infantry, the official foot guard greeters. 
 
Thomas B. Yester (pictured), born in Branford in 1922, is the last living officer in the 102nd infantry tank company. He served in WW II and later in Korea. He was a mail carrier for 33 years and is now retired from the National Guard.

Yester, 87, still lives in Branford. But his heart is at the Branford Armory where he and his comrades in arms like to socialize and talk of the old days. 

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