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ANSONIA — About 50 people gathered in Veterans Park Monday to remember and thank those who have served in the country’s armed forces.
During a keynote speech, state Sen. George Logan recited “In Flanders Fields,” a haunting poem written in remembrance of those who died in World War I, by a Canadian doctor who would himself die during the conflict.
The Veterans Day program was organized by the Gordon Viselli Post 50 of the American Legion, with Navy veteran Patrick Henri serving as master of ceremonies.
Rev. Jeffrey Gubbiotti of Holy Rosary Church offered an invocation and benediction.
Mayor David Cassetti and Post 50 Commander Jack Granatie also spoke during the ceremony.
Former Mayor Thomas Hallihan, a Post 50 member, presented a wreath at the memorial to Ansonia’s war dead.
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Officials pose for a picture with Ansonia chorus students and those who wrote essays in remembrance of Veterans Day
A chorus of Ansonia students under the direction of Maria Tangredi sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “America the Beautiful,” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
Students from Ansonia public schools read essays they had written for Veterans Day. The students were:
- Bianca Bailey, fourth grade, Prendergast School
- Kyle Speck, sixth grade, Prendergast School
- Alleyanna Figueroa, sixth grade, Mead School
- Jasmine Ramirez, seventh grade, Ansonia Middle School
- Evan Chen, eighth grade, Ansonia Middle School
- Ashmal Baig, 11th grade, Ansonia High School
Henri thanked each of the students, giving Chen “extra credit” for composing poetry for the occasion, which Henri shared afterward with the Valley Indy:
A young man packing his bag,
He is going away,
Leaving everything behind,
Prays he stay safe,
His family in the doorway,
Tears in their eyes,
May never see him again,
Saying goodbye,
He is getting on a plane,
Heading to another world,
A world filled with terror,
Terror and pain,
Suffering and death,
It’s just like every day,
It is all around him, he could see it all,
Some men with no arms, because they answered the call,
They all sacrifice so much,
So they can defend us all,
Left behind friends, family and all
This is what a veteran means to me,
Heroes who suffered through hell,
May their sacrifice be remembered by all.
A firing squad from St. Peter & St. Paul War Veterans fired a salute to war dead, followed by “Taps,” played by Michael Heise, American Legion District Commander.
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State Sen. George Logan recites “In Flanders Fields” during a Veterans Day observance in Ansonia Nov. 12, 2018.
