Sean P. Ronan, senior vice commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9422, gives the invocation in honor of Veterans Day on Monday in Bradley Point Park. Looking on are, from front left, mayoral Executive Assistant Lou Esposito, West Haven Veterans Council President Dave Ricci, City Council Chairman Ronald M. Quagliani, West Haven High School junior Nora E. Mullins, and state Reps. Charles J. Ferraro, R-117, and Michael A. DiMassa, D-116. The tribute, held on the Veterans Walk of Honor, began 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 followed with the singing of the national anthem by Mullins and remarks from Esposito, the master of ceremonies, on behalf of Mayor Nancy R. Rossi.The event also included remarks from Ricci, a bell-ringing at 11 a.m. and taps played by retired 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 officially launched the 13th phase of its popular Brick Campaign.In November 2006, the council began the first of 13 campaigns selling bricks to memorialize veterans on the 100-yard Walk of Honor between the William A. Soderman and Vietnam Veterans memorials.
The West Haven Police Color Guard leads the opening procession.
Members of West Haven Vietnam Veterans salute.
Retired West Shore Fire Department Lt. Kevin McKeon plays taps as his father, George McKeon, salutes.
Students, teachers, faculty and staff of Pagels Elementary School participate in a Veterans Day ceremony Friday. The morning event, led by Principal Gary R. Palermo, included the raising of the American flag, the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of a patriotic song, as well as a student from each grade reading about a veteran. It culminated with students placing small flags along the sidewalk in front of the Benham Hill Road school.
