Bysiewicz, Borer Honoring Veterans Of Vietnam Era At West Haven High

Press release from the City of West Haven:

WEST HAVEN, CT — Mayor Dorinda Borer will join Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and state Veterans Affairs Commissioner Ronald M. Welch at a ceremony honoring the city’s veterans of the Vietnam War era.

The Veterans Awards Ceremony is set for 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, in the West Haven High School auditorium, 1 Circle St.

Bysiewicz, Welch and Borer will recognize more than 130 West Haven veterans who served in the U.S. armed forces from 1961 to 1975.

Each veteran will receive a citation from the lieutenant governor and the mayor.

“The Vietnam era is one of the most complicated and painful in our nation’s history, and this ceremony is to say, ‘Thank you’ and ‘Welcome home’ — something these veterans never received,” Bysiewicz said. “Though our veterans never asked to be thanked or recognized, it is our responsibility to ensure that they know that we will always be grateful for their service and they will forever be our heroes.

“I want to thank West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer and the municipal staff and volunteers for their assistance in putting this ceremony together.”

Borer said: “I am deeply honored to join Lieutenant Governor Bysiewicz in recognizing this proud generation of patriots who courageously and honorably served our nation during the Vietnam War era. It is only fitting that we honor the American heroes who preserved the freedoms that make our country great.”

The ceremony will begin with a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Police Honor Guard, followed by the singing of the national anthem by West Haven High sophomore Paige Kenny.

Vietnam veteran Edward Wolkovitz will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and read a poem.

This press release was produced by the City of West Haven. The views expressed here are the author’s own.