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. Sunday on the Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park.
All veterans are invited to participate in the annual ceremony, which will feature remarks from dignitaries and Steve Carney, vice president and treasurer of the Veterans Council, on behalf of council President Dave Ricci.
Mayoral aide Ruth G. Torres 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 renditions of the national anthem and “God Bless America” and opening and closing prayers.
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.
In commemoration of the armistice’s centennial, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi will issue a proclamation declaring “Bells of Peace: World War I Remembrance Day” in West Haven.
To coincide with the solemn ceremony, the Veterans Council will officially launch the 12th phase of its popular Brick Campaign.
In November 2006, the council began the first of 12 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.
More than 2,650 bricks have been installed so far, including 56 for the 11th phase, which was dedicated May 26.
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.