Area High School Students Gather For Salute Dinner

By Dean Wright, The Bristol Press

May 13, 2022

Area high school students gathered for a Salute Dinner Wednesday at the Bristol Elks Lodge 1010 as they prepare to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The dinner is organized by the Bristol Veterans Council and the Veterans Strong Community Center and seeks to lift the spirits of recruit families as they head off to service.

“The importance of today is that the community and veterans get together to honor the high school students who have chosen to enter today’s military and any branch of the service as well as the military universities and colleges,” said Dave Carello, chair of the Bristol Veterans Council. “This is the 13th year of the modern era (dinner), but it actually started in World War II.”

The chair said historically for those who were drafted, Bristol would hold a dinner at one of the city restaurants and the recruits would get a meal, package to go along with them as they traveled to training and a watch made in Bristol.

“We continue that tradition to honor those students who have chosen to enter the military,” said Carello.

Veterans have often noted that the numbers of active enlisted Americans in the Armed Forces have at times been near half or less than a percent of the overall population of the country.

Caitlyn Ouellette, who attended Bristol Eastern High School, is set to join the U.S. Marines Corps..

“I’m excited to go out and see the world,” she said. “My grandfather was a Marine in Vietnam. It’s a special thing to him and he talks about how much honor and pride it still brings him. I wanted to continue the legacy that he started.”

Oulette said the most important part of joining though is getting to serve her country.

Xavier Cruz who attended Bristol Central High School will also be joining the U.S. Marine Corps and noted that he also came from a line of individuals who served in the military.

“I always hear that the Marines have this historic brotherhood,” he said. “When I go in, I want to work on my leadership.”

Cruz noted there were times he had to help guide others through a situation and he felt the Marines will help strengthen that quality in himself.

“I think it’s wonderful to honor and recognize those who will dedicate their lives to this country and the freedoms and liberties that we have,” said Bristol Mayor Jeff Caggiano.

Bristol Veterans Council Liasion and City Councilman Andrew Howe said he was privileged to see more Bristol youth stepping up to protect the country.

“To see this next generation come into play is wonderful and to see the families supporting them,” he said. “It’s a great day because I know our recruitment numbers have been down, so to see them (the new recruits) it’s wonderful to know our military will continue.”

Those honored at the event include the following:

Alyah Rodriguez-Warren – U.S. Army

Daniel Kelly – U.S. Army

Aiden Johnsky – U.S. Army

Jameson West – U.S. Navy

Xavier Cruz – U.S. Marine Corps.

Randy Santos – U.S. Marine Corps.

Damien Johnson - U.S. Marine Corps.

Daniel Lauretti – U.S. Marine Corps.

Owen Wood – U.S. Marine Corps.

Caitlyn Ouellette – U.S. Marine Corps.