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From a proclamation to honor the veterans of Westport, Selectman Charles Haberstroh read that “Americans owe our veterans an immense debt of gratitude for the sacrifices that they have made.”
And that statement rang true through the entire ceremony. First Selectman Gordon Joseloff said that during the cleanup and power restoration efforts from Hurricane Sandy a group of National Guard came to assist the town, something he said went largely unnoticed.
“The presence of this rapid-deployment force in our home town even briefly serves as a vivid reminder of the sacrifices made by those in uniform,” Joseloff said, adding that there are nearly 6 million new veterans from the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Like many people I have close relatives who have served this nation in uniform. My grandfather proudly served during the Korean War,” said Ian Teran, a Staples High School senior.
Teran added that two of his teachers had served and that he himself plans on serving in the U. S. military at some point. “Today is the day that we honor all those who have served this great country in uniform in times of war and peace, and for their willingness to serve and potentially sacrifice their lives for their fellow Americans.”
Two other Staples students, Devon Lowman and Adam Mirkine, played "Taps" at Town Hall. Bill Vornkahl, president of the Westport Veterans Council said that after the ceremony was over a veteran came to him to say thanks and said that listening to the boys play "Taps" brought him to tears.
“Veterans Day offers us the opportunity and the occasion once again to honor those who served, but also honor the dead,” Joseloff said. “We need to say thank you, not just on Veterans Day. But every time you see a man or woman in uniform ... a simple thank you goes along way.”
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