Brookfield VFW Post and Knights of Columbus Host VJ Day Ceremony

The Jason D. Lewis Brookfield Memorial VFW Post 10201, in conjunction with the Brookfield Knights of Columbus, hosted a moving ceremony to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VJ day and the 19th Anniversary of 9/11.

The event was held at the Brookfield Town Hall Veterans Memorial. Highlighting the Ceremony was a stirring rendition of the National Anthem by songstress Kelly Gleason, the performance of Amazing Grace by the Pat Mcguire Bagpipers Band, the placing of a memorial wreath to honor WWII veterans and 9/11 victims, a military gun salute rendered by the VFW Post’s Honor Guard and the playing of Taps.

Following an invocation by Brookfield VFW Post Chaplain Carl Monti, and welcoming remarks by VFW event coordinator Chris Delia, the Keynote address was given by Major Thomas Saadi, the Connecticut Commissioner of Veteran Affairs. He reminded the audience it is only because of those who served and those who are serving that all Americans are able to live free in our nation. He went on to tell all in attendance that in remembering the innocent victims of 9/11, those also included the Fire, Police and EMT first responders who gave up their lives to help others to safety.

Also addressing those assembled for the ceremony was Joseph Beal, Brookfield VFW Post Commander. He shared that he was in the Pentagon on 9/11. He warned again waging war and the need for America to always be vigilant but, if war is inevitable he noted, it must be ended quickly and with victory.

Robert Brown, President of the Brookfield Historical Society reminded the audience that over 1,000 Brookfield residents, both men and women, served in WWII. He read out the names of five Brookfield first responders who rushed down to ground zero and helped in the recovery effort and also expressed sympathy for the family of Brookfield former resident Judith Hofmiller who perished in the Towers on 9/11.

Brookfield Select Woman Susan Slater, representing the Town, shared her family experience on 9/11 during which two of her brothers were serving at the Pentagon at that time. One brother John, was in close proximity to where the plane struck and assisted in bringing injured out to safety. He said “I will never forget that day”. Another brother, Richard, working on Wall Street was told to stay in his office and eventually walked 150 blocks along the West Side highway covered in soot. He too will never forget that day. And their mother who fearing the worst, waited anxiously for news from all her children, also would never forget that day. Slater concluded by saying all her family made it back safely unlike so many others that didn’t and “ ….for this reason we should all never forget that day”.

Knights of Columbus Assembly 99 member Francis Gorglione represented the 4th Degree Knights in attendance who are all former veterans. He spent 30 years in the military and on 9/11, while a member of the New York National Guard, was at an Armory in New York City. He helped form a task force of iron workers and welders, secured needed equipment and spent 30 days at ground zero with the crew assisting during recovery operations.

Finally, Stephan Harding, Brookfield’s State Representative, thanked both the Jason D, Lewis Brookfield Memorial VFW Post and the Knights of Columbus for sponsoring the Ceremony and all the service activities they perform for the community of Brookfield and the military veterans.