 West Haven Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, flanked by members of the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard, left, delivers remarks during the dedication of the 13th phase of the brick Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park late Saturday afternoon. (City Photo/Andrew Kosarko)
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Veterans, families attend ‘brick’ event; watch on YouTube
WEST HAVEN, June 8, 2021 — Joined by West Haven Veterans Council members and city officials, more than 200 veterans and their families from across the state and beyond turned out for the dedication of the 13th phase of the brick Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park late Saturday afternoon.
Amid a radiant sky and a warm summerlike breeze, the seaside ceremony, postponed from a week earlier because of rain, featured remarks by Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and Veterans Council President Dave Ricci.
Rossi’s executive assistant, Louis P. Esposito Jr., served as the master of ceremonies.
“It makes me proud and happy to gather for this ceremony,” Rossi told the crowd. “If you are from West Haven, you will surely recognize many names engraved (on the brick Walk of Honor). It is literally a walk down memory lane, and I hope you’ll take time to experience that.
“So while we dedicate this new phase to all veterans, let us especially remember those service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. God bless them, and God bless everyone here today.”
The half-hour ceremony commenced 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.
It followed with the singing of the national anthem by Nora E. Mullins, a prayer by Mullins’ father, Planning and Zoning Commissioner Steven R. Mullins, and the singing of “God Bless America” by Grace Kelly Nowak.
“Today we dedicate these bricks and we dedicate this day to the memory of those who felt that freedom was worth fighting for,” said Ricci, a Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War. “God bless everybody, God bless America.”
Before the retiring of the colors, former West Shore Fire Department Lt. Kevin McKeon played taps.
After the ceremony, families lined the Walk of Honor to search for bricks they purchased in honor of loved ones. Each brick has a personalized message engraved in charcoal lettering.
In November 2006, the Veterans Council began the first of 13 campaigns selling bricks to memorialize vets on the 100-yard walkway between the William A. Soderman and Vietnam Veterans memorials.
About 2,850 bricks have been installed so far, including 130 for the 13th phase and 51 for the 12th phase, which was dedicated May 25, 2019. Last year’s ceremony was postponed because of the coronavirus.
In May 2015, the dedication of the eighth phase included the dedication of a granite stone in memory of Veterans Council President Lorelee “Lori” Grenfell, who died in 2015 at age 60. The memorial was crafted by Giordano Bros. Monuments of West Haven.
The Walk of Honor’s first phase and the city’s Korean War Memorial were dedicated in May 2007.
In May 2008, the walkway’s second phase and a memorial in honor of World War II Army Pfc. William A. Soderman were dedicated.
Soderman received the Medal of Honor after he distinguished himself in December 1944 while defending an important road junction near Rocherath, Belgium.
Four years after his death, on July 1, 1984, the flagpole in Bradley Point Park was dedicated in Soderman’s memory.
City Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo has overseen the construction of all phases of the walkway, which was built by City Point Construction Co. of West Haven.
Sabo has also supervised the design and placement of the granite Korean War and Soderman memorials, which were made by Shelley Bros. Monuments of Guilford.
Also in 2008, 14 grave markers signifying every war in U.S. history and peacetime were dedicated. The markers are mounted on granite posts.
Watch the “2021 Veterans Brick Ceremony” on West Haven YouTube. |
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 Members of the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard salute. (City Photo/Alycia Sandella)
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 Former West Shore Fire Department Lt. Kevin McKeon plays taps. (City Photo/Alycia Sandella)
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 The Veterans Walk of Honor, Bradley Point Park. (City Photo/Alycia Sandella)
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Centennial Boat Parade sets sail at 1 p.m. Saturday from West Haven jetty
WEST HAVEN, June 8, 2021 — A fleet of more than 100 boats are expected to set sail and parade across the West Haven seaboard at 1 p.m. Saturday to christen the community’s 100th anniversary.
The West Haven Centennial Boat Parade, presented by the City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee, will pay homage to the community’s nautical heritage and 3 miles of publicly accessible beaches on Long Island Sound — the crown jewels of West Haven, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi said.
The parade will follow the city’s coastline from the jetty off Sandy Point in New Haven Harbor to the Oyster River in Baybrook, said West Haven Harbor Master Robert Pimer, who has charted the course for the committee and will help steer the procession.
Rossi is encouraging city residents to descend on the beaches along Beach Street, Captain Thomas Boulevard and Ocean Avenue for a front-row view of the boating spectacle.
“I cannot wait for our residents to witness this one-of-a-kind boat parade along our very shore,” said Rossi, who will join Pimer at the helm aboard his harbor master boat. “This event is a tribute to the enduring history and legacy of West Haven as a true maritime community.”
Organizer and committee member John Biancur said he expects over 100 boats of varying sizes to participate in the free parade, including motorboats, personal watercraft, and sailboats from the Prospect Beach Fish & Game Club and the City Point, Pequonnock, Waucoma and West Haven yacht clubs.
The procession will also include rescue boats from the West Haven, West Shore and City of West Haven Allingtown fire departments.
Biancur pointed out that the parade is not limited to just yacht club members. It is open to all watercraft operators, provided they meet at the West Haven jetty at 1 p.m. and follow the Police Department’s patrol boat throughout the route.
“The committee is reaching out to the boating community to take part in this unique event,” Biancur said. “We are also inviting as many people as possible to come down to our beaches and see our parade.”
Skippers are asked to decorate their boats in patriotic colors, including displaying American, Connecticut or West Haven flags.
The rain date is Sunday at 2 p.m.
Although the parade will celebrate West Haven’s 100th anniversary, the official centennial kickoff ceremony is June 24. Details are forthcoming.
The committee is planning a series of commemorative events to observe the 1921 birth of Connecticut’s youngest town, said Rossi, the honorary chairwoman.
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West Haven Historical Society plans centennial exhibit Saturday-Sunday
WEST HAVEN, June 8, 2021 — The West Haven Historical Society will hold an open house exhibit, “From Village to Town,” on Saturday and Sunday as part of the community’s centennial celebration.
The free exhibit will take place at the Poli House, 686 Savin Ave., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.
Read the full News Release.
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Sound Health publishes 13th edition
WEST HAVEN, June 8, 2021 — For the latest COVID-19 vaccine information and resources, stay connected and engaged during the pandemic with Sound Health, the Health Department’s newsletter.
Read about all things public health at Sound Health, Volume 13.
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 Grand Marshals Mike Pimer, wearing sunglasses, and Frank J. Corso steer West Haven’s Memorial Day parade up Campbell Avenue on May 31 from a golf cart driven by city Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo. (City Photo/Andrew Kosarko)
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Parade honors America’s fallen; watch on YouTube
WEST HAVEN, June 2, 2021 — Grand Marshals Frank J. Corso and Mike Pimer steered West Haven’s Memorial Day parade May 31 from a golf cart driven by city Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo.
Corso, an Army Air Forces veteran of World War II in 1942-45, and Pimer, a Navy veteran who served stateside in 1955-61 and again in 1962-68, led the 40-unit procession of veterans, bands and dignitaries, including Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and other city officials, along Campbell Avenue.
The morning parade stepped from Captain Thomas Boulevard north to Center Street, where throngs of people lined the 1 ½-mile course, American flags waving, for the annual patriotic march.
Last year’s parade was postponed because of the coronavirus.
Corso, who turns 100 in July, and Pimer, 83, were tapped by the West Haven Veterans Council, which helps the city organize the parade, for their years of service to the military, their fellow vets and their community.
The hourlong parade featured a dramatic flyover by a C-130 Hercules, a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft operated by the Connecticut Air National Guard.
The event, in memory of the deceased members of the U.S. armed forces of all wars, is the oldest parade of its kind in southern Connecticut.
In addition to marching bands and veterans groups, the procession showcased the traditional contingent of youth organizations and sports leagues, dance and Scout troupes, fraternal organizations and service clubs, local and state leaders, police officers and firefighters.
A wreath-laying ceremony followed the parade at the World War I Armistice Memorial on the Green.
Watch the parade on West Haven YouTube. |
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 Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and grandson Arthur Rossi, 11, hold American flags while waving to paradegoers along Campbell Avenue in the heart of downtown. (City Photo/Andrew Kosarko)
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 The West Haven Police Honor Guard leads Chief Joseph S. Perno, left, Deputy Chief Carl V. Flemmig Jr. and members of the department. (City Photo/Andrew Kosarko)
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New Allingtown firefighter/paramedics sworn in
WEST HAVEN, June 2, 2021 — (Pictured, from left): City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown Deputy Chief Michael T. Esposito and Chief Michael R. Terenzio look on as Board of Fire Commissioners Vice Chairwoman Cori Nunley swears in new firefighter/paramedics Vincent Del Vecchio and Thomas O’Toole on May 28 at the Minor Park Station on Fairfax Street.
O’Toole and Del Vecchio, who were joined by other members of the Allingtown department, recently completed the 18-week recruit firefighter training program at the Connecticut Fire Academy in Windsor Locks.
The recruits were administered the oath of duty the day after graduation and have started their two-week orientation with the department.
“Both firefighters were already nationally certified paramedics upon their hiring, and the department is fortunate to have their skills availed to its delivery service to the public at this EMS advanced level,” Terenzio said. “With their joining the ranks now brings the department to its full authorized roster, which includes 10 paramedics. This will more readily assure that the department will have two paramedics on duty 24 hours a day.”
(City Photo) |
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Every Friday is #FunFactFriday on W. Haven centennial Facebook page
WEST HAVEN, June 2, 2021 — The City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee has launched a new series called #FunFactFriday to promote the community’s 100th anniversary this year.
Every Friday, the committee will post tidbits celebrating historical events, people and places in West Haven from the past 100 years on its official Facebook page, City of West Haven Centennial Celebration - 1921-2021.
The page is administered by the city and edited by Dan Shine, one of the foremost authorities on West Haven history. Like the page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CityofWestHavenCentennialCelebrationCommittee.
The historical facts are compiled from various West Haven Library references by staff members Taylor Cordova and Kiana Arevalo under the supervision of Executive Director Colleen Bailie.
The committee is planning a number of commemorative events, starting this month, to observe the 1921 birth of Connecticut’s youngest town.
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