Patrick Henri, Senior Petty Officer U.S. Navy and member of Ansonia's Gordon-Viselli American Legion Post 50.
ANSONIA — Tuesday (Dec. 7) marked the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor- a ‘Day of Infamy’ which forever changed the course of history.
To commemorate the day here in the Valley, about 50 area veterans, local officials, students and others gathered outside Ansonia City Hall at Veterans Park to reflect and remember.
On Dec. 7, 1941, more than 2,400 American soldiers were killed, and nearly 1,200 wounded during the sneak bombing attack by the Japanese on U.S. military bases in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Seventeen U.S. military members from Connecticut were killed during the attack, which triggered the start of World War II.
(Left to right) U.S. Navy Veteran Dennis Salzer and Kaz Brejwo, Quartermaster VFW Post 597 Ansonia.
Keeping history alive for generations to come is something that is very important to U.S. Navy Veteran Dennis Salzer, who attends not only Ansonia’s Pearl Harbor “Day of Remembrance” ceremony each year, but Memorial Day and Veterans Day events, too.
“We need events like this,” Salzer said. “I come every year because I want to make sure I set an example of how important it is to remember and honor this day. We need to be here. This is what America is all about.”
Salzer was heartened to see and hear students from Ansonia High School’s Choir open the program with the Pledge of Allegiance, as well as perform a musical interlude featuring “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “America the Beautiful.”
U.S. Army Veteran Larry Cramp, a member of Ansonia’s Gordon-Viselli American Legion Post 50, who served in Vietnam, knows firsthand the pain of losing friends in battle, and continues to honor their memory by attending ceremonies like this one in Ansonia.
“I had three friends who served and were killed in Vietnam- two who were in the Marines and one in the Army, and their names are on that wall (Cramp referring to the memorial wall in Veterans Park depicting Ansonia residents who gave all),” Cramp said. “We have to remember, that’s what it’s all about. My mother and father were very patriotic, so I guess it’s in my blood. I was very lucky to come back (from Vietnam) alive. Someone was watching over me.”
Mayor David Cassetti served as both host and guest speaker of the ceremony, taking time to highlight an Ansonia solider killed in battle. Michael Datzko, born in Ansonia in 1917 to immigrant Ukrainian parents, answered the call of duty to fight for America some three years following Pearl Harbor when he took part in the D‑Day invasion on June 6, 1944 on Omaha Beach in Normandy. Cassetti said Datzko, who worked at the former American Brass Co. on Liberty Street was one of 30 “Ansonia boys” who enlisted in the Army in 1941.
“History is often unintentionally harsh, impersonal and generic, to the point that the humanity that underpins the very purpose of history is lost,” Cassetti said in his speech. “That’s why I want you to know the name of Michael Datzko, a noble son of Ansonia, taken from us too soon, whose sacrifice and heroism allows this nation to go on and for its people to live in peace and prosperity.”
Judy Burke, a member of Gordon-Viselli American Legion Post 50, and retired National Guard member, said she attends the Pearl Harbor ceremony annually to honor her family members and others who served the country.
“I come from a family of veterans; my father, my grandfather, several cousins and uncles all served in various wars, and it’s important to remember their service,” Burke said.
U.S. Army Veteran Larry Cramp, member of Ansonia's Gordon-Viselli American Legion Post 50.
