West Hartford honored veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, with a heartfelt ceremony following the Memorial Day parade.

By Roz Green. Photos by Ronni Newton

Sounds of cheering and excitement echoed through the streets of West Hartford Monday morning as the Memorial Day parade passed by. The townspeople filled the sidewalks with their lively energy and radiant smiles. However, a more solemn tone was brought forth at the Memorial Day ceremony, where people gathered to remember and reflect on those who had fallen while serving the country.

“We owe gratitude to those fallen heroes, and encourage remembrance, not just on this day, but throughout the year,” stated American Legion Hayes-Velhage Past Post 96 Commander Heidi-Anne Mooney as she began the ceremony. It is important to always recognize and remember the people who fought for freedom, as they should never be forgotten. 

Following Mooney’s introductory statements, singer, songwriter, recording artist, and season one winner of the television show, “The Voice,” Javier Colon sang an emotional and chilling rendition of the National Anthem, allowing for a moment of reflection and remembrance.

Lieutenant Colonel Seth M. Allen, a Fairfax, a Virginia native now a West Hartford resident, the son of Colonel Richard Allen, and the Memorial Day parade grand marshal, said he was reminded of why he joined the military. As he walked the streets and felt the love, joy, and hope radiating out of the community, it reminded him who he is serving to protect.

“It is not about the flag or the uniform. It’s for the people. It’s for you.” He shared his love for his community, the community that raised him, and the community that gave him strength to serve it. He recognizes the impact of a town like West Hartford, how it builds character and shapes future leaders. 

Allen emphasized the importance of gratitude and thanks to those who died for freedom. “We celebrate the lives and legacies of our hometown heroes, who answered the call of duty and gave everything for something greater than themselves,” he said.

Allen also recognized two important heroes who gave their lives for their communities, one being Lt. Mary O’Dell. O’SDell was born in Connecticut and raised in West Hartford. “She was one of the first to answer the call when women were allowed to serve,” stated Allen. With great bravery and courage, O’Dell broke barriers and was a trailblazer for women in the military. 

Gordon H. Sterling, better known to his close friends and family as Jim – and the man for whom West Hartford’s Sterling Field was named – was another hero who served for the United States. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1940, and was one of the few pilots who made it off the ground on Dec. 7, 1941, the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor. “He gave his life in defense that day,” said Allen, and he shall never be forgotten for his bravery and ultimate sacrifice he made for the country. 

“Every year that we gather, I feel a deeper significance of the responsibility of service and the fragility of our rights and freedoms,” said Shari Cantor, mayor of West Hartford.

She was deeply moved by the meaning and sacrifice that is being honored, and recognized those who fought for the right to be standing here today. 

In further reflection on the meaning of Memorial Day, Cantor also spoke of a recent visit to the National Museum of Mexican Art, tasting delicious food and taking in the beauty of murals and mosaics, deepening her and her sons’ understandings on the history of the connectedness between Mexico and America. She came across an exhibit that displayed stunning portraits and shared many stories of Mexican American soldiers, “some who came home and some who didn’t,” Cantor stated. 

She mentioned this to highlight the importance of recognizing Mexican-American Latino soldiers who died in the brutal Bataan Death March, where they endured extreme heat, hunger, and physical abuse. These individuals were depicted in photos where they seemed full of hope, as their families had come to the United States in search of economic opportunity and safety. 

“They were in uniform fighting for a country that didn’t always welcome or accept them, but they were willing to sacrifice everything for this country,” stated Cantor. She emphasized the importance of recognizing the Mexican-American soldiers who served as noncitizens, even for a country that was against them. They served in hopes of creating a better life for their families, in hopes of creating a future where they felt safe and protected. “They wear the same uniform, they swear the same oath, they take the same risks as anyone else.” 

Cantor said she believes these soldiers deserve recognition, as they are no different from the American soldiers whom we are honoring today. “Courage, sacrifice, and patriotism aren’t limited by your citizenship status or where your parents were born. It is about what you stand for and what you are willing to do for your community and your country,” she said. Veterans, no matter where they came from or who they are, all deserve to be honored, remembered, and respected. They all should be recognized as making the ultimate sacrifice for us to live happily and freely. “Today we thank God for the brave immigrants who wore our flag and gave it all they had,” stated Cantor.

State Sen. Derek Slap, and state Reps. James Sanchez, Kate Farrar, and Jillian Gilchrest also spoke at the ceremony, which was attended by many members of the Town Council and Board of Education, as well as several hundred from the community.

Closing out the ceremony sounding TAPS was Zander Bos, an Xavier High School student soon to attend West Point this June. The sound of the bugle drowned out the noise of cars passing and outside chatter. A warm blanket of remembrance covered the town for just a moment. 

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