Ceremony honors Vietnam veterans
Vietnam veterans highlighted at E.O. Smith ceremony
MANSFIELD — To commemorate Veterans Day, area veterans were honored at a special ceremony at E.O. Smith High School in Mansfield on Saturday, Nov. 8, and the message was clear — veterans will not be forgotten.
The event, which was attended by more than 150 people in the E.O. Smith auditorium, honored veterans from Mansfield, Ashford, Eastford, Union and Willington. In particular, Vietnam veterans were highlighted at the event. Speakers included State Sen. Jeff Gordon and State Sen. Mae Flexer, as well as Ted Graziani, a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran from 1966 to 1968, and a former Democratic member of the Connecticut House of Representatives, representing District 57 from 1999 to 2011. Other speakers included Mansfield Mayor Toni Moran, American Legion Post 52 Chaplain Len Theroux, Mansfield Town Council member Dr. Carlita Cotton, and VFW Post 938 Commander Edward D’Agata. Boy Scout Troops 56 (Mansfield) and 156 (South Glastonbury) led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Posting of the Colors inside the auditorium. A separate posting of the colors, as well as a Placing of the Wreath, was live streamed from the Veterans Memorial outside of Mansfield Town Hall.
Gordon, who represents Eastford as part of the state’s 35th Senate District, offered his thanks for the service of our local veterans.
“One of the things that I learned growing up, not just in school, but from family members who served in the Armed Forces, is to meet with veterans, meet with their families,” Gordon said. “Don’t just learn what veterans did in history books. … The more we can learn from you — what you’ve done, each one of your stories, and what your families went through — the better we can be as elected officials, and also as citizens, to say thank you … and also what more we can do to be of help to you.”
Focusing specifically on Vietnam veterans, Gordon acknowledged that Vietnam veterans not only faced struggles abroad, but have also faced them in the years since returning home.
“When we talk about those who served during the Vietnam War, not only did you serve in the battles there in Vietnam and abroad, but then you had to face different battles — very difficult ones — when you came home, with the way that you and many of your family members were treated by this country. You didn’t get the thank you and the recognition you deserve,” he said. “Veterans Day is not just one day for us to recognize you and all your fellow veterans, but it’s every day of the year, and we should be very mindful of that. … You serve your country with duty, commitment, faith, defending our way of life, our security, our peace, our freedoms and liberties. But your service never ended, and for you it hasn’t ended at all. You’re continuing to serve in all sorts of ways. I’m amazed by the degrees and the scope of service over the years that you do. … We know that no matter how many ‘thank yous’ we say, no matter the work we do, we can never make up truly for the sacrifice you and your families went through. But still, we try and we hope to do better in that regard.”
For Graziani, his passionate speech focused on the honor displayed by Vietnam veterans in the face of many trials upon their return from a war that was rife was controversy.
“We did our jobs,” he said. “We didn’t ask for anything when we came back but a little respect. Perhaps we were naive thinking that when we came home we would have a parade in our honor. But that didn’t happen. … The tragic thing about Vietnam is that half the country supported us, and half did not. They blamed the warrior and not the politicians. We did as we were told. We took an oath. We didn’t say, ‘Well, we really don’t feel like going.’ You went. You went and you served with distinction.”
Graziani went on to urge those in attendance to continue supporting veterans, because it still remains one of the most important things we can do for them.
“I am so proud to see people wearing Vietnam era hats,” he said. “Back then, even if you were a veteran, you didn’t want it to be known that you were in Vietnam. But time heals everything. And we look at that as support. And basically, that’s what we all need in our daily lives — support.”
Adam Minor photos
