Photo By Jean Falbo Sosnovich
Alderwoman Sarah Widomski (at microphone) sings during Derby’s Veterans Day Ceremony.
DERBY — At just 14 years old, Chloe Walsh understands why it’s important to say ‘thank you’ to veterans, not just on Veterans Day, but every day.
“It’s the veterans who made this freedom possible for all of us,” said Chloe, a Seymour resident.
Chloe and her sister Sarah, 14, were among nearly 100 people who gathered on the Derby Green Thursday (Nov. 11) to mark Veterans Day. She had an especially important role to play, opening up the hour-long event with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chloe’s grandfather is Michael Klubek, the commander of John H. Collins American Legion Post 24, the ceremony’s host.
Klubek told the crowd that Americans are forever indebted to the brave men and women of the military who “set aside their civil pursuits to serve our nation’s cause.”
“It was out of blood and sweat that we learned the purpose of sacrifice, tolerance and bravery, and we must continue to cultivate these virtues,” Klubek said.
Two eighth grade students from St. Mary-St. Michael School told those in attendance what Veterans Day means to them through essays, a poem, and a prayer.
“Our veterans answered the call to service, knowing the risks involved,” said Adrianna Naranjo, 13. “Our lives would be totally different without them, and we would not have the freedom we enjoy today.”
Adrianna said she and her fellow classmates do their part to honor veterans every day by hoisting the large American flag outside their school up and down the flagpole, and properly folding it each night.
“They gave their best when they were called upon to serve our country and we respect them, we thank them and we honor them for their service,” added Andrue Czabala, 13.
Mayor Richard Dziekan, a U.S. Air Force veteran, remembers answering the call to serve back in the early 1980s, and is glad he did.
“Serving in the military helped build my character and shape me into the person I became,” Dziekan said. “I’m very proud of what I and all my other fellow veterans did for this country.”
Photo By Jean Falbo Sosnovich
Former Derby Aldermanic President/retired Derby Police Officer John Orazietti.
U.S. Navy Veteran Tom Voytek, a 1972 graduate of Derby High School, served as the event’s guest speaker.
After being honorably discharged from service in 1990, Voytek continued to volunteer his service to various city boards and commissions, including the Inland Wetlands Commission, and helped to secure land for what is known today as Witek Park. The 144-acre park located off Sentinel Hill Road is named after one of Derby’s native sons, WWII Veteran Frank P. Witek, who at just 21 years old, was killed in action in the jungles of Guam, and posthumously awarded the nation’s highest honor for bravery — the Medal of Honor.
Voytek has served as Commander of Derby’s Catholic War Veterans Post 1562 for the past 15 years. He reflected on the small percentage of individuals nationwide who answered the call of duty.
“Only seven percent of the population served in the military, and that means the other 93 percent have their freedoms because of those seven percent who fought every day,” Voytek said.
Statistics show that there are 18.8 million veterans living in the U.S. today, which accounts for 7.6 percent of the population.
Voytek, who said he sets time aside each day to read from the Bible, encouraged folks to help local veterans any time they can.
“Reach out to our wounded veterans, and if you do, that’s God’s miracle working through you,” Voytek said.
The ceremony also featured patriotic songs courtesy of Alderwoman Sarah Widomski, the traditional playing of “Taps,” presentation of the colors by members of the Derby Police Department and ceremonial laying of wreaths by Derby Boy Scouts in front of the military monuments gracing the Derby Green.
Following the ceremony, guests were treated to refreshments courtesy of CWV Post 1562.
