Military Personnel Honored At

Veterans’ Day Ceremonies

By Andrew Gorosko

About 100 people gathered outdoors at the Veterans of Foreign Wars/American Legion Post on Tinkerfield Road at 11 am on November 11 for ceremonies in observance of Veterans’ Day, honoring all veterans of the US armed forces.

Multiple color guards and military personnel stood by as dignitaries delivered speeches commemorating the sacrifices made by those in the military to preserve the American way of life.

The many flags flown at the event flapped in the blustery winds on the brisk November day.

In a speech, First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, himself a veteran, told those present, “It is an honor and privilege to be here with you once again to pay tribute to the men and women who served our country in defense of the freedom and liberties that we cherish and enjoy. Some were injured, and far too many have given their lives in that noble cause.”

There are more than 25 million US veterans alive today, Mr Rosenthal said.

“When we leave here today, let’s do so with a renewed sense of pride in what we, and they, as veterans have given to our great country. This is a special day set aside each year for us to thank them all, past and present, for their service, for their sacrifices, and for their love of country.

“It is true that nothing we can say or do can repay the debt that we owe them. We can, however, offer our gratitude and our promise that we shall never forget them and what they have done,” he said.

State Representative Julia Wasserman, who also is a veteran, addressed the audience, as did Lieutenant Colonel David Jurenka of the Connecticut Army National Guard’s Joint Forces Headquarters .

Donald Monckton, a past commander of both VFW Post 308 and American Legion Post 202, was the master of ceremonies at the Veterans’ Day ceremonies.