About 75 people turned out Wednesday morning at the Shelton Riverwalk for a Veterans Day observance led by American Legion Post 16.
Al Sabetta, the post’s adjutant, opened the ceremony by thanking those present for braving the weather before Walter Bills, the post’s chaplain, offered a prayer.
Mayor Mark Lauretti then spoke, thanking veterans for their service to the country and wishing Marines in particular a “happy birthday,” a reference to the corps’ 240th anniversary Tuesday.
A smattering of “oorahs,” a Marine battle cry, came from the crowd in response.
Sabetta then spoke, noting that the ranks of Post 16’s veterans — especially from conflicts like World War II, Korea, and Vietnam — are “dwindling very fast.”
Veterans still among us aren’t always the best off, he also noted.
“Let us not forget veterans who are filling shelters and soup kitchens every day of the year,” Sabetta said.
He then read off dozens of names of veterans from Shelton who have died in the past year.
The post had earlier placed a wreath in front of the World War I monument at the nearby Veterans Memorial.
Post 16 members then fired a rifle salute before a bugler played “Taps.”
Sabetta ended Wednesday’s ceremony with a simple request to those gathered.
“First and foremost, don’t ever forget the veterans,” he said.
