Memorial Day ceremony in Middletown pays tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice

MIDDLETOWN (WTNH) — Despite the rain, a steady stream of visitors bowed their heads as they paid their respects during a Memorial Day remembrance ceremony at the State Veterans Cemetery.

Veterans of wars past joined the crowd, standing solemnly to honor their comrades. News 8 Investigative Reporter Jeff Derderian highlighted the significance of the day, explaining, “Three years after the Civil War ended, Decoration Day was established… That’s what it was originally called before it was changed to what it is today… Memorial Day.”

Retired General Ron Welch from the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs expressed his hopes for the day.

“We’re hoping everybody can just pause a little bit, take some time out, and remember all of those that went before us, served, and made the ultimate sacrifice,” Welch said.

The ceremony featured a wreath-laying, a hand salute, and a gun salute, followed by the notes of “Taps,” a universal sound of sacrifice that resonated with the crowd. Among them was Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who remarked, “Every one of these markers behind us is an individual who gave heroically to this country in life and in death.”

For many, like William Alt, the day served as a powerful educational experience for his children saying it was important for his 6-year-old son to understand how soldiers sacrificed.

“He’s pointing out different things that he sees — the cross or the star… He wants me to read a couple of them… Some had purple or bronze stars,” William said, sharing how his son was engaged in learning the history and significance of the day.

The ceremony in Middletown was a poignant reminder of the soldiers and stars of yesterday who sacrificed on battlefields so that everyone could enjoy the freedoms of today. As the final notes of “Taps” played, the community came together to honor those who never made it home and the soldiers currently serving far from Connecticut.

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