Mayor David Cassetti listens to Madison Figueroa, 9, speak about what Veterans Day means to her.
ANSONIA – Nine-year old Madison Figueroa wasn’t born when her mom. Ashley, joined the U.S. Army, but the Mead School fourth grader was proud to boast about her mom’s military service during Ansonia’s annual Veterans Day ceremony on Thursday (Nov. 9).
The ceremony, held just prior to the national observance of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, drew more than 50 veterans, students, city officials and others.
“I would like to thank all branches of the military for their service,” Madison said. “I would also like to thank my mom for her service in the military and for teaching me to be a strong person. I feel safe because people like my mother spend their time doing hard work to keep land, air, sea and even outer space protected. I love living in America because we are all free to follow our dreams. This would not be true if it wasn’t for our amazing military.”
Madison was among a group of several Ansonia students from Prendergast, Mead, Ansonia Middle and Ansonia High schools who wrote essays and read them aloud about what Veterans Day means to them.
Madison’s mom Ashely Figueroa, who served in the U.S. Army from 2007 – 2009, beamed with pride, along with her husband, Robert, as the soft-spoken Madison read her essay.
“She wrote a great speech, and she did an awesome job. I’m very proud of her,” Figueroa said.
Figueroa, who is continuing to devote her life to service by pursuing a career in nursing, was glad to have her sister Maryjane Seymour, of Trumbull, by her side during Thursday’s ceremony. Seymour has several children who both served and are currently serving in the military, including a daughter who died just prior to being deployed to Iraq, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
“I came today to honor my niece, my sister and all the veterans,” Seymour said. “I’m a Blue and Gold Star mother and a very proud sister.”
Ansonia Middle School eighth grader Violet Schiavo was inspired to write an essay about the sacrifices veterans made to allow her the freedom she enjoys today.
“These extraordinary people deserve our utmost respect, gratitude and support for their invaluable contribution to our society’s nation,” Violet said. “These brave men and women have dedicated their lives to defending the ideals and values that our country holds, often facing dangerous and challenging situations along the way.”
Other highlights of the 40-minute ceremony, emceed by retired Senior Navy Chief Petty Officer Patrick Henri and member of Gordon Viselli Post 50 American Legion, included a proclamation read by Mayor David Cassetti. The Ansonia High School Chorus performed a musical interlude of patriotic songs, and Edward Canon Young gave the invocation and benediction, asking all to keep those serving in the military in their daily prayers.
Michael Heise, Commander of Gordon Viselli Post 50 American Legion performed “Taps” following a traditional three-gun salute.
U.S. Army Veteran/Catholic War Veteran Michael Ranno.
