The Fourth of July long weekend at Pleasure Beach in Waterford was all about “remembering our heritage, remembering our veterans” for one family, according to Dr. Kelly O’Donnell, including Lt. Col Hollis C. Lewis, who broke ground on his family home 50 years ago after having served as a career officer in the U.S. Army and being wounded in World War II and Korea, and then advising in South Vietnam. He is survived by his wife Jane, 97, still living in Waterford in the family home pictured here, strewn with flags telling stories of the families of both Dr. Michele Lewis O’Donnell (Jane’s daughter), right, and Kelly O’Donnell (Jane’s son-in-law), left.

The flags relevant to Michele’s side of the family are on the right: Connecticut, Georgia, Texas and U.S. Army; to the left are flags relevant to Kelly: California, Missouri, Michigan and the U.S. Navy (Kelly’s dad, who just died at age 95 was in the Navy).

“Michele and I are usually based in Europe — Geneva area — but back here in the USA to help support our moms,” Kelly reported. “Michele is a Waterford High School Lancer class of ‘73 and I am a La Salle High School Lancer (California) class of ‘74).”