MONROE, CT — Clouds dotted a bright blue sky on the sunny fall morning, when veterans, officials, clergy and a small crowd gathered on Stepney Green for the annual Veterans Day Ceremony Monday.
The green was adorned with Flags Over Stepney, a Save Our Stepney Task Force display featuring 13 American Flags that fly during every patriotic event.
American Legion posts 176 of Monroe and 160 of Easton organized the event, led by Sippin-Winspur Post 176 Commander Vic Yanosy and Charles L. Ruman Post 160 Commander Donald Rodgerson.
“Lord we thank you for the men and women who have dedicated their lives to service in the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marines, even Space Force, and the Coast Guard,” The Rev. Kevin Merritt of Stepney Baptist Church said while leading the opening prayer. “Thank you for their selfless sacrifice to fight for and protect our freedoms, which we know aren’t free.”
Dignitaries included Monroe First Selectman Terry Rooney, Easton First Selectman David Bindelglass, State Rep. Tony Scott, R-112th and Easton Selectman Nicholas D’Addario.
“I am both honored and humbled to be in your presence and to have an opportunity to thank you for your service,” Bindelglass said to the military veterans in attendance. “Most important is you have always chosen to put your country above yourselves. That kind of unselfishness is really what makes this country go.”
Scott, who recently won a third term, mentioned how Veterans Day is always held after an election.
“We had a lot of people share their voices in the election,” he said. “We had very high turnout and that’s great. The reason why is because the people who fought for those rights made it possible for us to have that voice to speak.”
“Thank you for your service and for what you do every day and for getting that new wave of men and women to protect this country,” Scott said.
Rooney spoke of how warfare has changed with the use of drones. He also reflected on recent conflicts in world, in which war-torn countries are experiencing the loss of loved ones.
“It’s an honor to be here, not in celebration, but in memory of the sacrifices that you all have made,” he said to the veterans. “So thank you and we wish every man and woman in the armed forces a future that is thriving and just safe. Let’s just hope we don’t see a lot of war in the future.”
Retired Army Col. Ronald Berry, of Easton, told the gathering about issues the U.S. armed forces currently face, including a drop in recruitment. “We are rapidly approaching what I call a hollow force and people do not want to admit that,” he said.
Berry shared other important issues for veterans, including health care, especially for those suffering from toxic poisoning from their time serving in the Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan wars, toxic water at some military bases, and needed pay increases for those at the lower grades in the armed services.
Berry said our missile defenses must be brought up to modern times, and we must be better prepared for conflicts in the Asian Pacific Region.
Lee Hossler talked about the history of Veterans Day, which began when President Woodrow Wilson declared it to be Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919, after World War I.
There was a presentation of wreathes and the American flag was lowered to half-staff.
Bishop Adan Rodrigues from the Lady of the Holy Rosary, gave the closing prayer, leading everyone in the Lord’s Prayer.
When the ceremony concluded the crowd spontaneously sang, “America the Beautiful.”
After the event, Rodgerson invited everyone to the Girl Scouts of Easton brunch at Jesse Lee United Methodist Church on Flat Rock Road in Easton.
Easton Girl Scouts from Troop 31495 and Boy Scout Troop 188, from Fairfield, served a big spread for lunch and dessert inside Bennett Hall, and presented veterans with homemade cards.
Photo galleries of the ceremony on the green and of the luncheon are below:
Girl Scout luncheon
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