The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en Volume 13, Number 21
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
Barwikowski featured Memorial Day speaker The Berlin Veterans Commission is honored to have LTC Gary Barwikowski as the guest speaker for theMemorial Day program. LTC Barwikowski is the father of Nicholas Barwikowski, 1st LT U.S. Army, who was guest speaker last year. LTC Barwikowski was born in New Britain, and after finishing school, went on to the University of Hartford where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. LTC Barwikowski has been serving his country for 28 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, 22 years as a commissioned officer. During his period of service he has served in Bosnia, Kosovo, and was on the first wave into Iraq. His present assignment is Civil Liaison Team Chief (TPU) 304th CA BDE Philadelphia, Penn. His current occupation is Supervisor, State of CT, Dept of Corrections, Parole & Community Services Division. LTC Barwikowski has at-
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Colorful celebration
LTC Gary Barwikowski tended the following schools: Infantry, Civil Affairs, Combined Arms/Services Staff School (CAS3), and the United States Army Command & General Staff Course. LTC Barwikowski was commissioned a 2LT in 1986 and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in January 2007. His decorations, service medals and Badges include: Bronze Star (to/2 Oak Leaf Clusters) Meritorious, Ser-
Family and friends from around the region gathered at the Patel residence on Norton Road for a Festival of Colors event May 10. The Hindu spring holiday season is know as Holi and activities culminate with a ritual of throwing colored dye (and sometimes colored water) at people. The festival is popular in India and other countries with a large Hindu population. There are many legends associated with the festival which depict the triumph of good over evil. The Patels have been hosting the party locally for six years and about 125 people attended including many from the Indian community in Berlin and surrounding towns as well as family from throughout the eastern United States.
See Parade, page 9
Amanda’s Pandas find comfort in creating Relay team By Robert Mayer Managing Editor Just as any woman 6 ½ months pregnant would be, Amanda Brini was tired. She worked as a physical therapist in Rhode Island, so her commute from home would sometimes take a toll on her. It was taking more and more of a toll as she inched closer to her due date. Brini had some routine blood work done because of her fatigue. Doctors thought she might have anemia, but the blood work came back to show something much
worse. Brini had low counts of both white and red blood cells and was diagnosed with autologous leukemic blasts (ALB) leukemia on Jan. 18, 2009. “She was fine. We did not have one clue she was sick,” said her sister-in-law Amy Brini of Berlin. “It seemed like one day she was here and then she was gone. Amanda Brini died in February from complications from the disease. She was just 26-years-old. In her memory, Amy Brini See Relay, page 9
Countdown to Berlin Relay: 1 Week
Amanda, Amy and Gianna Brini