MONROE, CT — Veterans and local officials were among the crowd gathered on Stepney Green for the annual Veterans Day ceremony on a cold, windy Tuesday morning.
The ceremony was led by Donald Rodgerson, commander of the Charles L. Ruman Post 160 in Easton, and Victor Yanosy, commander of the Sippin-Winspur Post 176 in Monroe. Among the public officials was State Rep. Tony Scott, R-Monroe.
While Scott represents residents in Monroe, Trumbull and Easton as part of Connecticut’s 112th District, he said military veterans represent the entire country. He thanked those men and women for their service.
“As a representative elected official, sometimes I look at what we do as questionable,” he said. “I see the federal government has a shutdown. Luckily it’s coming to an end.”
However, Scott said many people have been hurt by it, including veterans.
“These are elected officials who are supposed to be helping the people and it’s sad to see that some things are getting hurt for the veterans we have in this country,” Scott said.
By contrast, he said Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut’s Legislature are showing a bipartisan commitment toward the completion of the Veterans and First Responder Center building project, that will benefit area first responders and tens of thousands of military veterans hailing from Monroe, Shelton, Trumbull, Easton and Redding.
The project had stalled when funding fell short.
“We’ve got another $900,000 coming from the governor to help get us over the hump to get that done, so I hope in 2026 that building will be there and we can have a fun celebration opening that building up,” Scott said. “I will work across the aisle. I’ll will work with anybody to make sure we’re getting that done to represent you guys.”
Monroe First Selectman Terry Rooney and Easton First Selectman David Bindelglass were also among the ceremony’s featured speakers.
“This has been one of the great honors of my time as first selectman, which as many of you know will end tomorrow morning,” said Bindelglass, who did not run for reelection. “But I’m happy to have one more chance to address you all and thank you for everything you’ve done for us. You took a sacred oath to serve the Constitution and the people of this country.”
Bindelglass said U.S. citizens are free to live their lives as they wish in a lawful society due to the sacrifice of our military veterans.
Rooney thanked all of the veterans for their service. “Those of you who are here today continue to represent what it is to be honorable — to stand by your country and to fight for us when we need you, so thank you,” he said.
He also thanked veterans and their families for their sacrifice of lost time together during veterans’ time away, including missed birthdays and other important ocassions.
“All of us that are involved in civil service understand that, but we do that at home,” Rooney said, turning to the veterans gathered on the green and adding, “many of you did that overseas, so thank you for that sacrifice of your families and what it took to endure those times.”
The crowd cheered when Rodgerson reminded them that Monday had marked the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th birthday. Then Retired Army Col. Ronald Berry, of Easton, was called up to the podium to say a few words about the state of the military today.
Participating in a wreath laying ceremony were Monroe Lions Club members Frank Bent and Phil Lindstrom and American Legion Post 176 members Raymond Ganser and Cpl. Norma Chavez-Bissell.
Tuesday morning’s ceremony included an Invocation Prayer by The Rev. Charles Schif, pastor of The United Methodist Church of Monroe, and closing prayers were given by Bishop Adan Rodrigues from the Lady of the Holy Rosary.
The Patriotic event opened with a reciting of The Pledge of Allegiance and the crowd sang “God Bless America” at the end. Then Rodgerson invited everyone to the Girl Scouts of Easton brunch at Jesse Lee United Methodist Church on Flat Rock Road in Easton.
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