VFW Post 308 held a small Veterans Day ceremony on November 11, welcoming guests to the outdoor event under temperate weather.

“We come every year,” said Legislative Council Member Phillip Carrol as other attendees began to gather. “I had many members of my family in the service. Unfortunately, back in the day, they didn’t tell about their experiences so I didn’t get to hear what they went through.”

“Look how many don’t come back,” said Carroll. “They put a lot on the line in sacrifice for this country.”

Post Commander Philip Lombardo opened the event by leading a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and playing a recording of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” All attendees observed the flag during these moments.

Several speakers prepared to give remarks following Lombardo, who first introduced Army veteran Dave Viera.

Viera introduced himself as one of the founders of the Afghanistan Iraq Veterans War Memorial Fund. He explained the project as a grassroots fundraising effort for a memorial to be erected in Washington, D.C., and said so far it has raised over $300,000.

State Representative Tony Hwang spoke next.

“When I see the tragedy in the world, I take a deeper appreciation and gratitude for our veterans,” he said in his comments.

State Representative Mitch Bolinsky called veterans “the arms and legs of freedom.” He offered a moment of silence for prayer.

“It is a sobering time, and I’m proud to be an American,” he said before introducing First Selectman Dan Rosenthal.

Rosenthal detailed coming to know veterans in the community, including the speaker who followed him, Chris DiNoto.

The first selectman said veterans build the community, and make it stronger. He noted that many veterans become first responders and government officials after their military service, calling service “a family affair.”

First Selectman-elect Jeff Capeci said he stands “shoulder to shoulder” with Rosenthal in his support of veterans during his short segment, where he voiced his appreciation.

Lombardo returned to introduce US Marine Corps veteran Chris DiNoto, who he met in middle school.

Lombardo said as an adult, he joined the Marines “to get some discipline in [his] bones,” and unexpectedly reconnected with DiNoto who also enlisted.

Later, by chance, the pair found their paths crossed again.

“Chris had been 100 yards from me while we were serving in Iraq; I had no idea,” said Lombardo, later continuing, “We checked on each other the rest of the time we were in Iraq.”

After Lombardo’s words, all speakers stood in respect as DiNoto approached the podium.

The Marine veteran recounted when his unit translator, Karim Ahmadi, was left in Afghanistan in danger while the rest of the unit returned to safety in the States.

“Every morning I would wake up and dry heave into a bucket thinking about trying to get my translator out of there,” he said.

DiNoto spearheaded a mission to return Ahmadi to safety. Apparently, the translator had not slept for days after being under extreme stress.

When rescue came and as Marines could finally stand watch over their lost brother, Ahmadi was able to sleep soundly.

DiNoto called veterans “society’s record-keepers of humanity’s darkest places.”

“You bore witness to man’s lowest moments and his greatest triumphs,” DiNoto continued, and added that not coming back the same after serving, for better or for worse, is “a sacrifice worth having.”

The ceremony closed with “The Veteran’s Prayer,” and all were invited inside for a breakfast reception. Throughout the event, several passing 18-wheelers honked in solidarity.

Reporter Noelle Veillette can be reached at noelle@thebee.com.