By Michael P. Walsh
Special to the Voice
The city and the West Haven Veterans Council will hold a Veterans Day tribute at 10:45 a.m. Saturday on the Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park.
All veterans are invited to participate in the annual ceremony, which will feature a wreath-laying and remarks from Mayor Edward M. O’Brien and Veterans Council President Dave Ricci.
O’Brien’s executive assistant, John W. Lewis, will serve as the master of ceremonies.
The event will begin with a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Police Color Guard and a flag-raising by the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard. It will follow with the national anthem and “God Bless America” by Grace Kelly Nowak and opening and closing prayers by Sean P. Ronan, senior vice commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9422.
The tribute will also include a bell-ringing at 11 a.m. and taps played by former West Shore Fire Department Lt. Kevin McKeon.
Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is celebrated on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marking the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918.
To coincide with the solemn ceremony, the Veterans Council will officially launch the 11th phase of its popular Brick Campaign.
In November 2006, the council began the first of 11 campaigns selling bricks to memorialize veterans on the 100-yard Walk of Honor between the William A. Soderman and Vietnam Veterans memorials.
The bricks, which cost $75, have charcoal lettering for personalized messages.
About 2,600 bricks have been installed so far, including 100 for the 10th phase, which was dedicated May 27.
Applications are available at www.cityofwesthaven.com and in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 355 Main St. For details, call 203-937-3510.