Veterans Medals Ceremony Held At Ashlar Of Newtown

By Eliza Hallabeck

One of the dining rooms at Ashlar of Newtown was crowded as more than 20 medals were given out to veterans on Thursday, September 11.

“Today is the day that we mourn the loss of innocent lives,” said Republican 112th District representative DebraLee Hovey, “and the loss of a sense of security in our country.”

Also at the event were Newtown First Selectman Joe Borst, Legislative Council Chairman and 106th District candidate Will Rodgers, Peter DiMaria, a veterans’ service officer with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and others.

Mr DiMaria presented the medals to the recipients while Mr Borst and Mr Rodgers announced their names.

“While serving our nation these individuals and their families made many sacrifices,” said Ms Hovey.

After the opening remarks were made, the crowd said the Pledge of Allegiance together, and Richard Ruscoe, an employee at Ashlar of Newtown and a Navy veteran, sang the National Anthem.

One at a time the recipients were named and they were given their medals. They also received handshakes from Ms Hovey and Mr DiMaria.

Mr DiMaria said this was the best medals ceremony he has seen.

“The medal we passed out is almost a replica of a World War I medal,” he said. Other veterans will be receiving the medals in similar ceremonies across the state.

“Please tell your stories to people who will write them down,” said Ms Hovey told the veterans as her closing remarks. “We need to remember.”

Veteran Recipients

Frank Battaglia, Army (Infantry), World War II

Roosevelt Cararbe, Army, World War II

Paul Figler, Jr, Army (staff sergeant), World War II

Elizabeth Godfrey, Army (nurse), World War II

Richard Hornbeck, Navy, World War II

Earl Ireland, Navy, World War II

William James, Army (Infantry), World War II

Alice Jennings, Navy, World War II

Frank Jones, Navy, World War II

Louise Makseyn, Navy, World War II

John Naylor, Navy, the Korean War

Greenville North, Air Force (major), World War II

Walter Pogozelsky, Navy, World War II

Louise Porrata, Navy, World War II

John Rabuse, Army, World War II

Anthony Riolo, Army (medical corps), World War II

Richard Rooney, Army, World War II

Philip Sampieri, Army (technical sergeant 3rd grade), World War II

John Schneider III, Army/Air Force, World War II

Raymond Scholl, Army, World War II

Julius Seckas, Air Force (air corps), World War II

Robert Silverstream, Navy, World War II