More than 30 military veterans who fought in conflicts from Korea to Kabul received medals recognizing their service during a ceremony at the Ansonia Armory Tuesday.
The ceremony was organized by state Sen. Joseph Crisco, who said he was honored to be able to help offer the veterans present a small token of appreciation for their service and sacrifice.
He also noted that military service impacts not only veterans themselves, but their friends and loved ones, for the sacrifices they made over the years.
“I am from a family that lost a parent during the Second World War,” Crisco said. “We appreciate the sacrifices that families make. You never forget.”
“It is a debt that we can never repay,” he said. “We thank you so much for what you’ve all done for our country and ourselves.”
Also on hand were Mayor David Cassetti, who also thanked the veterans, and state Rep. Linda Gentile, who said it’s impossible to comprehend what veterans go through.
“It’s not easy, when I think about it: leaving home, leaving family, leaving loved ones,” Gentile said. “I can’t even begin to imagine it. so you have all of my respect and all of my gratitude.”
A Color Guard from the Connecticut National Guard presented the U.S. and state flags, and Korean War veteran Robert Marganski led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members of the Ansonia High School chorus — Samuel Baez, Breanna Walsh, Elizabeth Cavanaugh, Jared Cavanaugh, Rhianna Bennett, Carly Bomba, Atianna Bowen, and Khyna Wallace — sang the national anthem.
Sean Connolly, the state’s Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, then presented the medals.
Veterans who served in the armed forces during times of war are eligible for the medals.
Connolly said it’s “truly humbling” to attend ceremonies like Tuesday’s event in Ansonia.
The state is home to more than 200,000 veterans, he said.
He noted it’s an important time for recognizing veterans, with Armed Forces Day May 21 and Memorial Day May 30.
“Today is really an extension of that,” Connolly said.
“We salute all our veterans, of every era, those who donned the uniform so we could live free as a nation,” Connolly said. “We appreciate all of your service, without which we wouldn’t enjoy the freedoms we do today.”
Connolly awarded medals Tuesday to veterans from Beacon Falls, Bethany, Woodbridge, Ansonia, and Derby.
More photos, from Crisco’s office, are posted here.
A similar event was recently hosted in Seymour.
A list of the veterans are below, provided by Crisco’s office:
Joseph Alberti
Anthony Anastasio
John Antrum
Martin Beattie
Howard Bradshaw
Edward Bustin
Henry Castiello
Robert Cavallaro
James Chiaraluce
Richard Chudoba
Lawrence Dawes
Louis DeFilippo
Dominick DeRosa
Richard Didente
Jerome Fainer
Thomas Fassbender
Mario Garofalo
Paul Head
Michael Heise
Patrick Henri
Andrew Hornak
Paul Kurbikoff
Robert Marganski
Ernest Marino
Michael Mazzola
Deryck Millan
Robert Moore
Rebecca Odens
Joseph Roberts Jr.
George Schroeter
Edward Sharkey
Pollyann spring
Joseph Stobierski
John Stoner
John Tiano
John Walania
Alexander Weiler
