This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

'A Day of Patriotism'

In Montville, a solemn ceremony honors veterans

"We make war that we may live in peace." – Aristotle

 

Veterans Day is a time to remember and cherish the valiant efforts of those who fought and sacrificed their lives, but for some who actually did the fighting it’s best to keep the details in the recesses of the mind.

Find out what's happening in Montvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Joseph Joskiewich, for instance, recalled at a Veterans Day memorial in front of Town Hall Friday that seven of his comrades died in Vietnam.

“But it’s something I try not to think about,” he said. “There are some bad memories.”

Find out what's happening in Montvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Ronald Nicholson, president of the local American Legion chapter, was a Marine who also fought in Vietnam.

“It’s something I don’t want to talk about,” he said.

About 75 people, most of them veterans, gathered outside Town Hall on Friday. It was a solemn time. Nicholson and Jesse Latore, who is commander of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter, laid wreaths at the foot of monuments that list the names of those Montville residents who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Bagpiper James Glover led the color guard and, later in the ceremony, played “Amazing Grace.”

As is the tradition, the American flag was raised from half staff to full staff at 11 a.m. This symbolically recognizes the date and time when World War I ended.

Judy Abrahms sang “God Bless America” but not before noting, “Freedom isn’t Free.”

It was a day of ceremony and short speeches.

Outgoing Mayor Joseph Jaskiewicz said the one message Americans can give to veterans on this day is gratitude.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” he said. “… God bless you all.”

David Gauthier, an Air Force veteran who served in Vietnam, said in an interview that Veterans Day “is a day of patriotism and thanking those who served and those who died.”

And Joskiewich, a sergeant in the 25th Infantry, put it: “I’m here for the group that didn’t make it and couldn’t come back.” 

 
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?