Maintaining a long-held tradition, Newtown Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 308 Commander and US Marine Paul Galietti served as master of ceremonies for a Veterans Day Ceremony November 11 at 11 am.

More than two dozen residents came together to honor veterans for their military service.

The audience stood to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance, then bowed their heads and removed their hats during ceremonial prayer.

Galietti informed those who gathered that while they did not have a performer to sing the National Anthem, they would play a recording.

The first guest speaker of the morning was State Representative Mitch Bolinsky, who attends the Veterans Day Ceremony at the VFW each year.

Bolinsky expressed his gratitude to all the veterans and gave a brief history of Armistice Day, which is known today as Veterans Day.

“It is a day where we pay tribute to all American veterans, past and present,” he said.

Bolinsky also emphasized that giving thanks to veterans should not be limited to just Veterans Day, but it should be done 365 days a year.

He noted that we should not take our freedoms for granted in “the world’s greatest nation.”

“I’m proud to be an American … God bless our heroes, God bless you, and God bless America,” Bolinsky said.

Following his sentiments was Newtown Selectman Maureen Crick Owen who came on behalf of First Selectman Dan Rosenthal.

“He and I both want to thank all of our servicemen and women for their past, present, and future selfless sacrifice. They gave so we can all be here today living in freedom in the greatest country on earth,” she said.

Crick Owen brought up that in preparing for Veterans Day, she took time to reflect on her family’s military service.

“I was blessed to have two grandfathers growing up. My grandfather, Walter Glover, served in the Navy and my other grandfather James Crick, Sr, served in the Army – both in World War I. I only learned a few years ago that James Crick, Sr, was one of the founding members of this VFW,” she said.

Additionally, her uncle Lee Glover and her father James Crick, Jr, both served in the Korean War in the 45th Division.

“To all the veterans here today, I sincerely thank you for your service and sacrifice. Thank you all for choosing to honor veterans today and show your support of our heroes, past and present,” Crick Owen said. “May God bless our veterans, may God bless all those serving in harm’s way, and may God continue to bless America.”

Galietti then said a few words of thanks for all those attending the VFW Veterans Day Ceremony, as well as to all the veterans.

“The freedoms we experience today are directly attributable to their service and sacrifice. Americans of every race, religion, and ethnicity have served in our armed forces,” he said. They certainly don’t do it for the money – that I can assure you. They serve for many reasons but foremost it is for the protection and preservation of our country and our way of life.”

Galietti asked that we never forget how many of these brave service members are fresh out of high school and that “some returned home maimed, disfigured, mentally challenged, and some unfortunately never come home.”

As part of his closing remarks, he said, “Today we honor and salute all of our veterans. Quite frankly, without you we would not enjoy the qualities of life we have today.”

Then the traditional wreath-laying portion of the ceremony for fallen veterans took place.

Terry Haase laid the wreath, followed by Marty Madden laying the red flower, Jack Renoff with the white flower, and John Peters placing the blue flower.

Phil Lombardo then held the trumpet and played a recording of Taps.

At the end of the Veterans Day Ceremony at the VFW, Galietti invited everyone to enjoy the free refreshments and encouraged everyone to participate in the poppy sale.

He also shared how students from Head O’ Meadow Elementary School made many cards in honor of Veterans Day that were available to be read.

Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.