We are more than just a ‘brand-name’ town

Written by Lizzy Trotta
Thursday, 19 January 2012 01:00

For English class, a friend and I had to create a satire as a creative assignment, so we chose the exciting subject of Greenwich. We made sure to include all of the obvious topics into our project, like excessive wealth, nice cars, Greenwich’s need for designer labels, and the infamous “Avenue.” But this dramatized version of our town got me thinking — what is Greenwich really like?

I’ve lived here nearly my whole life and I’ve never really seen Greenwich in the way it was portrayed in my satire. It seems, many only see us for the huge mansions lumbering in backcountry or for the vast array of posh stores on Greenwich Avenue, or for the occasional housewife with the tiny dog living out of her Coach purse. They see the superficial things and we are judged only by our cover, but not by depth which lies within the pages.

Even my own sister likes to refer to Greenwich as a “Brand-Name town.”

But the Greenwich that I know and love is not a town filled simply with expensive homes and brand name stores — it’s a town with a whole lot generosity and character, which make it a true gem among communities. This was proven to me at great lengths this winter.

The HEROES club at Greenwich High School had a townwide card drive to the soldiers returning home from Iraq. Although we were not expecting a huge turnout, we received nearly 2,000 cards! But it was not just the sheer number of cards which HEROES received, but it was the beautiful sentiment written within them.

One card was addressed to a “True American Hero” another to a “Brave Soldier.” But every one of the cards had some very special messages within.

The students were excited to be given the opportunity to show their gratitude to the men and women who risk their lives every day on the battlefield. I can only imagine the smiles these cards put on the soldiers’ faces when they received them.

“To whom it may concern: There is no way that I will ever understand what you are going through.

“Every day you are risking your life so that everyone back home can live. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. We all appreciate the work you are doing for our country. Thank you.”

This town is filled with people who are kind and generous and very unlike the typical Greenwich stereotype. And although every once in a while you can come across a Greenwich housewife with a Chihuahua living out of her handbag, these people are overshadowed by the kids just wishing to thank a “True American Hero.”

Lizzy Trotta is a sophomore at Greenwich High School.

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