Selectman Sheehy's Veterans Day Address

Today, November 11 is Veteran’s Day, a National and State holiday to honor and remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly on the seas, in the air and on foreign shores to preserve our freedom including our freedom to vote.

In that regard, I would like to congratulate State Senator Joe Crisco and State Representative Themis Klarides for their re-election on November 6 and thank them for their service to the Town of Woodbridge.

I would also like to thank Joseph Hellauer, Colonel United States Air Force Retired, Woodbridge Administrative Officer and Commander Dan Russbach, United States Navy Retired for making the arrangements for today’s ceremony.

As we honor the Veterans of World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam, we also pause to honor the men and women who are currently serving our Country in Iraqand Afghanistan. We hope and pray that they will return safely and that their efforts along with the efforts of our government will result in a peaceful resolution of the conflicts in those countries.

2012 is the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation given by President Lincoln on September 22, 1862. We also pause today to honor the 61 men and boys including two African Americans all from Woodbridge who served in the Union Army including 12 who gave their lives to preserve our union.

We also remember Kenneth G. Bronson Bedworth and Private First Class Eric Soufrine who made the supreme sacrifice in service to our Country whose memorials are on display before us today.

So on this beautiful November morning let us give thanks to all those men and women who have served our Country from the Revolutionary War to the present so as to make the United States of America the greatest country on earth.