Veterans Day Observed, Phase 19 Of Brick Campaign Launched In West Haven

Written by Michael P. Walsh

WEST HAVEN, CT — A legion of veterans and their families, together with city and state leaders and members of West Haven’s Veterans Council and Surfside Veterans, gathered in the heart of Bradley Point Park to pay tribute to Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

Mayor Dorinda Borer, standing on the Veterans Walk of Honor overlooking Long Island Sound, delivered poignant remarks to the patriotic crowd of mostly veterans, many wearing hats and jackets referencing their military assignments in gold lettering.

“I want to welcome the true guests of honor today: our veterans,” said Borer, speaking in front of a black granite memorial in commemoration of Army Pfc. William A. Soderman, who received the Medal of Honor in World War II. “Thank you for your service, your sacrifice and your undying devotion to our nation.”

The morning ceremony included remarks by Veterans Council President Dave Ricci, a Marine Corps vet of the Vietnam War and the president of West Haven Vietnam Veterans Inc.

“The armed forces are well represented here,” said Ricci, who recognized members of the Veterans Council and Surfside Veterans for their civic contributions. “Remember the veterans; remember the ones, in particular, who never made it home.”

The ceremony also included remarks by West Haven Municipal Veterans Rep. Rich Deso, who read “Swaying in the Breeze,” a poem written by his partner, city resident Nancy Herbert Denman. Deso, a Navy vet, served aboard the submarine USS Groton in the Mediterranean Sea during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. He is the president of Surfside Veterans.

The 25-minute program commenced with a procession of local and state officials and West Haven first responders led by the West Haven Police Honor Guard and followed with a flag-raising by the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard, composed of members of the West Haven Fire Department, the West Shore Fire Department and the City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown.

The procession consisted of police brass and West Haven, West Shore and Allingtown fire chiefs, officers and firefighters. It included West Haven Democratic Rep. Bill Heffernan, City Clerk John W. Lewis, Secretary Herbie Hill of the 1st Fire Taxation District’s Board of Fire Commissioners and Commissioner Al Lepper of West Shore’s Board of Fire Commissioners, and City Council members Nancy Tagliatela, D-2, Gary Donovan, D-4, Ronald M. Quagliani, D-10, and Sean P. Ronan, D-at large.

Rick Spreyer, Borer’s chief of staff, served as the master of ceremonies for the seaside event, which featured a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by West Haven High School senior Sophia Martineau and a prayer of remembrance by Vertical Church of West Haven Pastor Randal Alquist.

West Haven firefighter Brian Elliott then rang the department’s chrome bell 11 times at 11 a.m. in observance of Veterans Day. Residents and members of the University of New Haven baseball team bowed their heads as Elliott tolled the bell.

Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is celebrated on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

“Today we join communities across the nation in marking an anniversary born out of the armistice that silenced the guns of World War I in 1918,” Borer told the crowd.

The event also featured a wreath-laying at the base of the William A. Soderman Memorial by West Haven Vietnam Veterans Vice President Al Beck Sr., an Army vet, and member Howie Thomas, a Marine Corps vet.

It concluded with a performance of taps by bugler Ash Ortiz Serafin, a freshman at UNH.

To coincide with the solemn ceremony, the Veterans Council kicked off Phase 19 of its popular Brick Campaign.

In November 2006, the council began the first of 19 campaigns selling brick pavers to memorialize veterans on the Walk of Honor between the Soderman and Vietnam memorials.

“Here in West Haven, our gratitude isn’t just expressed in words spoken once a year; it is permanently etched into the very ground we stand on,” Borer said. “This 100-yard walkway serves as a physical testament to the bravery of our neighbors, relatives and friends.”

About 3,150 charcoal-lettered bricks with personalized messages of “love, respect and remembrance” have been installed to date, including 50 for Phase 18, which was dedicated May 27.

Applications for the $75 bricks are due Friday, March 19, 2027, and are available here and in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 355 Main St. For details, call 203-937-3510.

West Haven Vietnam Veterans Vice President Al Beck Sr., an Army vet, and member Howie Thomas, a Marine Corps vet, salute after laying a wreath at the base of the World War II William A. Soderman Memorial in West Haven’s Bradley Point Park in observance of Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven Fire Department firefighter Brian Elliott rings the department’s chrome bell 11 times at 11 a.m. in observance of Veterans Day as people bow their heads. Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is celebrated on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marking the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

The West Haven Police Honor Guard leads the opening procession of city and state dignitaries, police brass, and West Haven, West Shore and Allingtown fire chiefs, officers and firefighters. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

The West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard carries in the American flag during the opening procession. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Members of the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard raise the American flag on the William A. Soderman Memorial Flagpole. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Veterans salute during the ceremonial flag-raising. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Vertical Church of West Haven Pastor Randal Alquist offers a prayer of remembrance as officials bow their heads. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven High School senior Sophia Martineau sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” as officials put their right hands over their hearts. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven police brass and West Haven, West Shore and Allingtown fire chiefs, officers and firefighters salute during the national anthem. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer delivers poignant remarks observing Veterans Day on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, “marking an anniversary born out of the armistice that silenced the guns of World War I in 1918.” Looking on are chief of staff Rick Spreyer, the master of ceremonies, and city firefighters. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven Veterans Council President Dave Ricci, a Vietnam Marine Corps vet, talks about remembering veterans and Phase 19 of the council’s popular Brick Campaign, which is underway and set for dedication at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 29, 2027. Ricci is also the president of West Haven Vietnam Veterans Inc. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

West Haven Municipal Veterans Rep. Rich Deso reads “Swaying in the Breeze,” a poem written by his partner, city resident Nancy Herbert Denman. Deso, a Navy vet, served aboard the submarine USS Groton in the Mediterranean Sea during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. He is the president of Surfside Veterans. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Bugler Ash Ortiz Serafin, a freshman at the University of New Haven, performs taps as members of the crowd salute. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)