Veterans, active military members, as well as local dignitaries, academics and students gathered at Eastern Connecticut State University for their annual Veterans Day Ceremony.
The president of Eastern, Elsa Nunez, gave an emotional speech about her own family’s military history, especially her father and his love for the country.
“He loved it because he went from being very poor to being middle class," Nunez said. "When you gave him a chance, he would tell you the story that that would not happen anywhere in the world but in this great country. He loved America. It was that love that motivated my grandfather to fight in World War I, my father to fight in World War II and my brother to deeply be wounded in the Vietnam War.”
Retired Command Sergeant Major John Carragher, Manager for the Office of Advocacy and Assistance for the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, said the nation’s Veterans never stop serving.
“The amazing thing about veterans is they continue to serve well after their time is done," Carragher said. "Just as they did in uniform, as a group they realize that someone has to pay the price. Although the price is different, our veterans continue to serve each and every day, again not for glory or fame, but because they are Americans, dedicated to making the world just a little bit better everyday, because it’s worth it!”
Veterans Day is held every year on November 11 marking the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I in 1918.
