Moving Veterans Day Ceremonies at Norwalk City Hall

Hundreds turned out for Norwalk's Veterans Day events at City Hall Monday. morning. 

A concert by the American Festival Band, directed by Chris Geist preceded the ceremony. A presentation of the Colors was followed by the National Anthem

Dan Caporale, chair of the Norwalk Veterans Memorial Committee, asked veterans from each war stand to be recognized. Members of the audience applauded and held up "Thank You" signs as vets from World War II, then Korea, and Vietnam rose to their feet one group at a time. 

About a dozen Vietnam Veterans included Mayor Elect Harry Rilling. Afghan or Iraq war veterans attending the event were just one or two.

Caporale said he wished that there was more than one day a year to honor veterans. "People tend to forget us during the rest of the year," he said.

Norwalk's outgoing Mayor Moccia, who received a standing ovation from the full concert hall, acknowledged Mayor Elect Harry Rilling in the audience and thanking him for his service.

Other highlights of the ceremony included a moment of silence at exactly 11:00a.m. and Invocation by Rabbi Joseph Ron Fish of Congregation Beth El. 

Featured speaker Colonel Jon K. Buonerba spoke about respect. "Over the past twelve years, service has meant multiple deployments to Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. Many of you here today have borne the burden and experienced the fatigue of waging war in order to bring about peace and help those in times of need. To you all, I say thank you for setting the example that inspired me and my peers to raise our hands in voluntary service to this great nation. That shared service joins us together like no other bond." 

Buonerba said that just 1% of Americans serve in uniform.

"Although small in numbers, consider the impact these individuals have had on the world," said Buonerba. "Defending freedom, providing humanitarian assistance and protecting Democracy...Their story is our history, because America rose to greatness on their shoulders. We owe them our very way of life, our freedom to live life and work and raise our families as we please."

Featured speaker Colonel Jon K. Buonerba went on to speak about respect. In one example he described a moving visit to the personal effects depot, where staff take care of the veterans' personal items before they are returned to their surviving families. 

Buonerba also suggested visiting Arlington Cemetery in Washington, DC.

"Watch Tomb of the Unknowns changing of the guard. Laying our nation's veterans to rest with honor and respect and treating their love ones with dignity and compassion is the hallmark of what goes on in Arlington," Buonerba said. "On any giving day at Arlington, which I can see from inside the Pentagon, we conduct 27 to 30 funerals per day. And it's not uncommon if you're visiting Arlington to see a horse drawn caisson carrying an American flag draped casket, hear the firing of three rifle volleys or feel the lump in your throat as a lone bugler plays the 24 notes of Taps. These honors remind us of service, sacrifice and valor." 

The Veterans Day program was organized by the Norwalk Veterans Memorial Committee, chaired by Dan Caporale.