West Hartford’s annual Veterans Day ceremony was held at the Connecticut Veterans Memorial on Nov. 11, 2014.

By Ronni Newton

Veterans gathered Tuesday with state and local civic leaders at the Connecticut Veterans Memorial in West Hartford Center for the town’s annual Veterans Day ceremony.

The ceremony is held each year at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, the time and date that marks the cessation of fighting in World War I in 1918. Veterans Day was originally celebrated as “Armistice Day,” but now “we honor all American veterans of all wars,” said American Legion Vice Commander Dan Smith of Hayes-Velhage Post 96, as he welcomed the crowd that gathered in West Hartford Center.

Guest speaker Command Sergeant Major James Peter M. Matthews, USAR 76th Operational Response Command, said that this year’s Veterans Day ceremony should honor not only active duty and retired veterans, but also recognize “Blue Star” family members “for the burdens they shoulder while we are deployed,” and “Gold Star” family members who “have sacrificed so much.”

“Thank you for your sacrifice. You are not alone,” Matthews said. “On this Veterans Day it is a privilege to share the honor with 236 West Hartford heroes,” Matthews said, referencing the 236 members of the Armed Services from West Hartford who gave the ultimate sacrifice and whose names appear on the Veterans Memorial.

Matthews said that the military “has always been the strength of our nation,” and that it’s also critically important to provide continued care for members of the military.

West Hartford Town Council Minority Leader Denise Berard-Hall told the story of a Vietnam veteran who received the Medal of Honor for remarkable courage. “We are so fortunate that this country produces heroes … and continues to inspire heroes.” Hall also thanked not only veterans but also their families for their courage and commitment.

“Most Americans profess to truly love our veterans, especially on days like this … but it’s important to remember them 365 days a year,” said State Rep. Joe Verrengia. “I have two words: thank you. That’s what today is all about,” Verrengia said.

State Sen. Beth Bye said, “I also want to thank our veterans for their service to each other when they get home.” Bye said it’s important to ensure that we provide safe places for veterans, so they can continue to receive care and help each other “once the battle is done.”

West Hartford Mayor Scott Slifka said that he believes one of the reasons the country is so divided today is because so few serve in the military and truly understand what it takes to protect and serve this nation. “Ninety-nine percent of us don’t live with deployment or fear of deployment to a war zone.”

Slifka said that his grandfather, who is now 97, speaks of the country’s sense of national unity in the past as coming from a belief “that the whole country was in this together.” Slifka said that in order to “move forward with unity,” in the future he would love to see reinstatement of the draft or some form of national service, as well as a commitment to not fund military action without also having the budget to provide housing and services to family members.

The Veterans Day ceremony concluded with placement of a memorial wreath by Slifka and Matthews, and the sounding of “Taps” by Peter Roe of the American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96.

Veterans and their families were treated to lunch at the American Legion courtesy of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association.

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