With a hand across her heart, Donna Monteleone opened Wednesday’s Veterans Day ceremony with a prayer for the “devotion of those who have fought for freedom, and those who laid down their lives.”

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 308 chaplain and also a veteran, Ms Monteleone addressed a crowd of post members and supporters whose faces and service spanned decades. Korean War veteran George Lockwood Sr stood just a few paces away from younger veterans, including current US Marine Corps Sergeant Dustin Gill.

VFW Commander Walter Dolan let a few silent moments pass.

“We are here to honor our heroes, those here and those in spirit,” he said, soon asking each veteran present to stand and state their names and service. Applause filled the small VFW hall, where the ceremony had been moved from its traditional outdoor presentation due to the day’s weather. Mr Dolan wished to recognize all service men and women, from “platoons in Vietnam to those in the mountains of Afghanistan, we honor them all.”

With a glimpse at the day’s history, First Selectman Pat Llodra looked back to 1918, when on November 11 at 11 am, an armistice brought a cessation to fighting in World War I.

“All veterans deserve our regard,” she said. Looking at the uniformed veterans in the hall, she said, “I owe you my safety and freedom.” She remembered discussions in recent years about whether schools should have the day off, and is glad students are at school, where “the day offers a chance to recognize and celebrate veterans.”

But just one day “isn’t sufficient,” Mrs Llodra said. “What about the other 364? Are we doing enough?” Veterans Day is a day of “prayer and thanks. Let’s be sure to preserve and protect this day.”

She is “troubled,” she continued, by the mental illness plaguing many veterans who have returned from service, who are underpayed, or homeless. She wants our country to “translate honor” into helping veterans.

“The well-being of service men and women after their service depends on us. We owe you a debt of gratitude.”

United States Army veteran and VFW Honor Guard Captain Brady Miller saluted the VFW flag as a lone bugle sound ended the ceremony. As “Taps” played, Mr Miller turned and led the guard out of the room.

State Representative Mitch Bolinsky said the VFW is a “great place for veterans to gather,” offering activities, support, and more.