Ceremony Honors Connecticut Veterans

By Nancy K. Crevier

Nearly 120 veterans from Newtown and Sandy Hook who served in wars or conflicts from World War II through the Iraq and Afghanistan wars were honored at a special ceremony held Wednesday, June 25, at Newtown High School. State Representative DebraLee Hovey, in conjunction with the Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs, distributed Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medals to any living veteran identified as having served in time of war and who was a resident of the state at the time he or she was called to active duty or who presently lives in Connecticut.

Representative Julia Wasserman, who as a veteran was to receive an award herself and who coordinated the event with Ms Hovey, was called out of state and expressed regret that she was unable to attend the ceremony.

The ceremony was arranged through the cooperation of the representatives’ offices, said Commissioner of Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs Linda Schwartz, RN, MSN, DrPH, FAAN. Through press releases and website information, eligible veterans submitted applications and proof of service over the past 18 months, culminating in the June 25 ceremony. “These kinds of local ceremonies are really the preferred way of awarding the medals,” said Commissioner Schwartz, although in some cases the medals are sent through the mail.

The bronze medals suspended from red, white, and blue ribbons were designed and procured by the commissioner’s staff in cooperation with the staff of Major General Thad Martin, said Dr Schwartz. Funds for the medals came from money in the General Assembly.

“This is a glorious occasion for many vets and their families,” said Dr Schwartz. “In the military, you may get a medal, but it’s a very important occasion when someone actually gives out the medal. It’s a joyous occasion when a family sees their father or mother or grandparent get a medal. I’m very happy that the veterans can hear us say thank you — not just from me, but from everyone in the state.”

There were tears and smiles, hugs and handshakes, and expressions of joy and pride as the veterans, their friends, and family members filed into the high school on Wednesday morning.

“It is very much an honor,” said John Ehlers, who arrived at the ceremony in full dress uniform with his wife, Pat. He served in the US Army as a Master Sergeant E-8 in Germany from 1961 to 1967, and in the Army National Guard from 1980 to 2001.

Tom Parsons, a Vietnam War veteran who served in the Marines as a corporal from 1969 to 1971, attended Wednesday morning’s ceremony with his wife, Lorraine, and son, Drew, the youngest of his three children. “[Having my dad honored is] pretty sweet,” said Drew. “It’s well deserved.”

The award ceremony was part of another big celebration Wednesday for Vietnam veteran Bob Hiruo, whose birthday it was that day. He was joined by his wife, Barbara, his mother-in-law, Helen Bronk, and son, Newtown High School Vice Principal Jason Hiruo. Mr Hiruo was a sergeant in the Army from 1968 to 1971.

It was an emotional morning for Korean War veteran James O’Sullivan who attended with his wife, Eileen. “I was in Korea from 1952 to 1953,” said Mr O’Sullivan, who served with the Third Infantry Division of the Army as a corporal. “I was there when the treaty was signed. This is an honor… an honor for the guys who didn’t come home.”

“So many of my constituents didn’t even know about the medal,” said Rep Hovey. “It’s so important that they get the recognition they deserve. It’s amazing how appreciative the veterans are of such a simple gesture. In my mind, it’s my duty as a public servant to provide this ceremony and give them the recognition. Their service above self is deeply appreciated.”

The tradition of striking medals to honor service people has been a custom since Civil War times in Connecticut, said Commissioner Schwartz. The tradition was somehow set aside after World War I until recently, when, according to Rep Hovey, the legislature made a concerted effort to reignite the program.

“We were thrilled for the recognition,” said Clare Savarese, who was at the program with her husband, Ralph. Mr Savarese, was a captain serving in the US Air Force from 1963 to 1969, in Vietnam as a fighter pilot in 1967 and 1968, and then flew C141 transports to and from Vietnam for the remainder of the war. “I am pleased for the recognition,” he said, “but I will dedicate my medal to Larry Moore and Joe Adrian, also fighter pilots, who made the supreme sacrifice, and to the other 58,000 — the real heroes.”

After opening remarks by Rep Hovey, Newtown Legislative Council Chairman Colonel William Rodgers led the Pledge of Allegiance, and then the hundreds of voices joined together to fill the auditorium with the verses of “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Senator Dave Cappiello, Senator John McKinney, and First Selectman Joe Borst offered congratulations and thanks to the servicemen and women in attendance. “The people in this room who have risked their lives — if it wasn’t for you, I couldn’t do what I do in the state senate,” said Sen Cappiello. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

For Mr Borst, it was the second time this week honoring wartime veterans, having attended a ceremony on Monday for World War II veterans. (See related story.) “I’m very proud to be a member of the group who served their country,” said Mr Borst, who was in the Army Air Corps during World War II.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t realize how lucky I am in this country,” said Sen McKinney. “To the younger folk, when you see someone in uniform, just go up and say ‘thank you.’ It is always my honor being in your presence,” he said, addressing the audience.

Linda Schwartz, Commissioner of Veterans’ Affairs in Connecticut and a US Air Force nurse who served during the Vietnam War, struck a chord with many of those present in the words she offered prior to the presentation of the medals.

“No matter when or where veterans have served, there is a commonality all share who have served our country, whether in a support role or in combat,” said Dr Schwartz. She urged veterans to tell their stories to their families. “It is an heirloom to be handed on from generation to generation. I say to all of you: You know it is by the hand of God and luck of the draw that you are here today. War is not for the faint-hearted. Accept these medals with the great esteem of fellow citizens and the state,” she said.

By the time Col Rodgers had finished calling out the names, one by one, the line of veterans snaked up the auditorium aisle and out into the lobby. The sense of pride and pleasure was apparent on the faces of the service people as they patiently waited in a line that one veteran likened to “the service days, waiting in the chow line,” to greet Rep Hovey, Commissioner Schwartz, and First Selectman Borst as they awarded the medals.

Margaret Brokaw, one of only two women whose names were announced at Wednesday’s ceremony, said that until the day before, she had not been sure that she would receive the medal. She had applied for it, but because her service records of her days as an Army nurse during World War II were in her maiden name, there was a snag. “Mrs Wasserman’s office straightened it out, though,” she said, and she was humbled to be included.

“I served in Italy,” she recalled. “I was on a ship scheduled to head for the Philippines when they woke us up in the morning and said the war was over and we were going home.”

Ms Brokaw played down her role in the service, adding, “These guys here are the ones who did so much. God bless those boys. Not a day goes by that I don’t pray for them.” She gently caressed her new award and said, “You don’t forget them.”