More than 600 students at Ansonia’s Mead School sang and clapped Tuesday (Nov. 11) morning for about 20 honored guests — military veterans.
The school’s Veterans Day assembly was attended by several officials, including Mayor David Cassetti and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, but the politicians pointed out their jobs are possible only because of the sacrifices of veterans throughout the years.
Wyman talked about meeting those serving in the armed forces when they leave the state to go overseas.
She said it was one of the most difficult parts of the job — but infinitely more rewarding, she said, is welcoming returning veterans back home.
“And that’s what we’re here about, to say thank you for everything,” Wyman said.
Students read essays and poems honoring veterans before the whole school serenaded them with a rendition of “God Bless The U.S.A.”
State Sen. Joseph Crisco recited “In Flanders Fields,” a haunting poem written by a Canadian doctor during World War I.
State Rep. Linda Gentile asked students to put themselves in the shoes of those serving in the military.
“Imagine if you had to leave your family, your friends and go thousands of miles away to a foreign place, not know anybody, and be away from your family for a whole year, maybe longer. Wouldn’t that be pretty frightening?” she said.
“It takes brave men and women to do that, and that’s why we say thank you to our veterans,” Gentile said. “We can never thank them enough.”
Teachers Matt Hough and Todd Howes organized the Mead School ceremony.
Later Tuesday, about 50 people gathered in Veterans Park next to City Hall for the city’s annual Veterans Day ceremony, at which wreaths were laid at a memorial honoring Ansonia residents who have died in military service since World War I.
Board of Aldermen President Phil Tripp, a veteran of more than three decades in the Army reserve who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, reminded those gathered of the ultimate price some veterans have paid.
“Death in Iraq could be random and indiscriminate,” Tripp said while recounting how he narrowly avoided a blast from a rocket fired into Baghdad army camp in May 2005.
“I had just walked behind a concrete blast wall, which is probably the only reason I am still standing here today,” he said. “And ever since that day, I am just happy to be alive.”
Article continues after video of Tripp’s remarks.
Students from throughout Ansonia’s Public Schools also read essays honoring veterans during the ceremony.
The students were:
John G. Prendergast School
- Janae Yumiceba, fourth grade
- Nikita Dainiak, fifth grade
John C. Mead School
- Gabby Gjoni, sixth grade
- Jamesyn Brothers, sixth grade
Ansonia Middle School
- Anna Msciwujewska, seventh grade
- Colby Trembley, eighth grade
Ansonia High School
- Alyssa Orlofsky, junior
A rifle squad from St. Peter & St. Paul War Veterans fired a salute to the war dead before Bill Ritchie of American Legion Gordon-Viselli Post 50 played “Taps.”
Alderman Patrick Henri, a Navy veteran, was master of ceremonies. Rev. Dominick Tuzzi offered an invocation and benediction.
