Town Honors All Veterans and One Special Veteran

The Town of East Haven remembered it's fallen veterans with a procession from American Legion Post 89 to the Town Green on Monday, May 27.

This year's honored veteran was Ralph "Butch" Mannochi.

Mannochi was drafted into the Army in 1967 and deployed to Vietnam later that year. During that time, he was involved in numerous skirmishes and in the Tet Offensive, during which he sustained an eye injury. He was awarded many medals during his service until his discharge at the end of 1968. Mannochi is a charter member of Vietnam Veterans Association, Chapter 484 and one of the original organizers of the VVA Independence Day East Haven Fireworks celebration, a committee he still sits on today.  

Senator Richard Blumenthal also attended this year's ceremony and addressed the crowd, one of the largest in recent years. Many of the speakers thanked the community for taking time out of their busy holiday weekend to mark the occasion and remember those who gave their lives for their country.