By Maheen Mustafa
An annual Veterans Day ceremony is held each year in Carmel with the collaborated effort of the city, Mayor Jim Brainard and members of local veterans organizations. The ceremony honors and pays tribute to those who served the country and made it what it is today. The event is an expression of gratitude for the veterans.
In the same vein, The Barrington, a retirement community currently being built in Carmel which is set to open next year, will house several souls who have served in the United States armed forces.
When asked how The Barrington celebrates Veterans Day, Kristen McCaig, vice president of sales and marketing at Senior Quality Lifestyles Corporation, a parent company of the development, said, “The Barrington’s sister communities all recognize their veterans and host an event and or speaker around that given day. It is a special holiday within the community and a chance to recognize our residents who served. For example, Edgemere in Dallas hosts a special event each year where the new veteran residents’ names are added the community’s eternal plaque in the library. It doesn’t matter how much time has passed, all veterans still deserve to be recognized.”
The Barrington’s future, veteran residents are of both local and out-of-state origin. Roy Casciari, 90, and his wife Carol are future residents who have called Indiana home since 1974. Casciari retired as a director of industrial engineering for the Carrier Corporation, and while the future holds exciting new opportunities for the Casciaris, the past is just as stirring. Casciari served in WWII as a bomber pilot in the South Pacific as part of the U.S. Army Air Corp, and participated in many runs with his crew – three out of 10 of the pilots he flew with are still alive.
They are all still in touch.
“I have lived a great life with my wife and six children, 21 grandchildren and three great grandchildren,” Casciari said. “I love Carmel because it is centrally located for all of my family. Calling The Barrington home will be the icing on the cake. We love the people we have met since learning of the senior living community and the location in Carmel is ideal. The team behind The Barrington has a great reputation for providing outstanding service and care for seniors. All the pieces came together nicely when making our decision to move into The Barrington. We can’t wait to call it home.”
