 West Haven Army veteran Mark Levine stands behind the granite U.S. Army insignia marker at the city’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Bradley Point Park on May 11. Levine, who served in the Vietnam War in 1970-71, will lead West Haven’s Memorial Day parade as grand marshal when it steps off at 10:30 a.m. Monday along Campbell Avenue. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)
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Vietnam veteran Mark Levine leading Memorial parade at 10:30 a.m. Monday along Campbell Ave.
WEST HAVEN, May 23, 2023 — Mark Levine, a Vietnam veteran and lifelong Westie, will lead the city’s Memorial Day parade as grand marshal when it steps off at 10:30 a.m. Monday.
Levine, 73, will guide the 48-unit procession of veterans, dignitaries and bands along the 1 ½-mile parade route, which follows Campbell Avenue from Captain Thomas Boulevard to Center Street.
An Army veteran who served a tour of duty in the Vietnam War, he embraced the recognition with typical grace and humility.
“It’s a great honor to serve as grand marshal,” said Levine, who has marched in the parade for the past five years. “I was thrilled, honored and humbled when the West Haven Veterans Council nominated me at the April meeting.”
Levine was chosen by the Veterans Council, which helps the city organize the annual parade, for his years of service to the military, his fellow vets and his community, the latter of which is perhaps the cornerstone of the qualifications for grand marshal, council President Dave Ricci said.
“I am grateful for Mark Levine’s service to our country in Vietnam and to his service in our community,” Mayor Nancy R. Rossi said. “Mark hails from a great West Haven family, and I look forward to marching with him and so many other West Haven veterans on Memorial Day.”
The 2023 edition of southern Connecticut’s oldest and largest Memorial Day parade has no rain date and will feature three marching divisions and a military division, as well as special accommodations for disabled veterans.
The procession will include an eight-seat golf cart carrying former grand marshals that is bedecked with a star gracing the names of those deceased. Other veterans will ride on a float.
It will also include a flyover by a C-130 Hercules, a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft operated by the Connecticut Air National Guard.
Levine will steer the procession from a golf cart flanked by the West Haven Police Honor Guard.
The 90-minute parade, in memory of the deceased members of the U.S. armed forces of all wars, will showcase the city’s legion of veterans groups.
The procession will include bands from West Haven High and Bailey Middle schools, along with the Notre Dame High School Drum Line and the New Haven County Firefighters Emerald Society Pipes & Drums.
It will include cheerleaders from the West Haven Seahawks, members of the West Haven High dance team and Jeeps from the Connecticut Beach Cruisers, as well as bands from the Rock House School of Music.
The procession will also spotlight the traditional contingent of youth organizations and sports leagues, dance troupes and Scout troops, fraternal organizations and service clubs, local and state leaders, police officers and firefighters.
Levine was born to Izzy and Lilyan Levine and raised on Ida Lane in West Shore with his sisters, Robin Levine Clifford and Elisbeth Levine Brown.
His father was a concession owner who operated a game of skill at Savin Rock Park, West Haven’s bygone amusement park, and his mother served as an assistant city clerk for a quarter century.
Just over a year after he graduated from West Haven High, Levine was drafted by the Army in August 1969 at age 19. He completed basic training eight weeks later at Fort Dix, New Jersey, followed by eight weeks of advanced training as a radio operator in preparation for Vietnam.
Beginning June 4, 1970, he was stationed with the 6th Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment in the cities of Tuy Hoa and Phan Rang in south-central Vietnam. He served as a radio teletype operator, in addition to other wartime duties that included loading rounds of artillery ammunition.
Levine was honorably discharged as a specialist E-4 on April 29, 1971. He received the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, a South Vietnamese military campaign medal for support of operations in Vietnam after 1960.
The Vietnam War is a story of patriots who pushed through jungles and rice paddies, heat and monsoon, fighting heroically to preserve the ideals and liberties that Americans hold dear.
From la Drang to Hue, U.S. troops won every major battle of Vietnam. Through more than a decade of combat over air, land and sea, they upheld the highest traditions of the armed forces. And more than 58,000 sacrificed all they had and all they would ever know in service to their country.
After the Army, Levine worked at the May Coat Co. factory on Congress Avenue in New Haven. He previously worked there after high school.
For the next 40 years, he worked for the Postal Service as a mail handler in New Haven, Hartford and Wallingford until his retirement in 2014.
Levine stays active as a member of West Haven Vietnam Veterans Inc. and the American Legion Post 196.
He is an avid biker, hiker, kayaker and pickleball player. He also loves to run.
He completed the New York City Marathon in 1993 and has participated in a number of charity road races.
Levine said his proudest accomplishments include giving 50 pints of blood through the years and collecting nonperishable items for the pantry at the West Haven Emergency Assistance Task Force. WHEAT, based at 674 Washington Ave., provides food for residents in need.
Levine and his wife of nearly 48 years, Joan Murphy Levine, live on Union Avenue in the Center. They have many nephews and nieces they are close to and proud of, including two great-nieces. |
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 The brick Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park, West Haven. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh, File)
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Dedication of brick Vets Walk of Honor on Saturday
WEST HAVEN, May 23, 2023 — West Haven Veterans Council members and city officials will dedicate Phase 15 of the brick Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park at 5 p.m. Saturday.
All veterans are invited to participate in the seaside ceremony, which will feature a flag-raising, an invocation and a wreath-laying, as well as remarks by Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and a Veterans Council representative.
The public is also invited.
Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy will serve as the master of ceremonies.
In November 2006, the Veterans Council began the first of 15 campaigns selling bricks to memorialize vets on the 100-yard Walk of Honor between the William A. Soderman and Vietnam Veterans memorials.
The bricks, which cost $75, have charcoal lettering for personalized messages.
About 2,950 bricks have been installed to date, including 51 for Phase 15 and 58 for Phase 14, which was dedicated June 4, 2022.
Phase 1 of the Walk of Honor was dedicated in May 2007, along with a memorial to Korean War veterans.
In May 2008, Phase 2 of the walkway and a memorial in commemoration 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.
On July 1, 1984, Bradley Point Park’s flagpole was dedicated in memory of Soderman, who died in 1980.
Also in 2008, 14 grave markers signifying every war in U.S. history and peacetime were dedicated. The markers are mounted on granite posts.
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.
In May 2015, the dedication of Phase 8 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.
Subsequent dedications have been held amid much fanfare, attracting hundreds of veterans and their families from all corners of Connecticut and beyond. |
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West Haven Cricket Club wins Philly Cricket Festival
WEST HAVEN, May 23, 2023 — (Pictured): Members of the West Haven Cricket Club pose with the championship trophy after winning the 20th annual Philadelphia International Cricket Festival on May 7.
Kneeling are, from left, Manesh Prabhu, Azher Ali, Raj Khatri, Abhishek Chitale, Nikhel Thapar, Suriya Rajamani and Rajesh Narayanan. Standing are, from left, Sriram Ramesh, captain Prasanna Ramaswamy, Ranganath Kanna, Gautam Anne and Shreenath Rajagopalan.
The West Haven club was founded in 2001 and has competed against cricket clubs from around the world for the past decade in the PICF tournament, winning it for the first time this year.
Cricket is played with a red leather ball and a flat wooden bat by two teams of 11 players each on a large field. The teams bat and bowl alternately, with the batting team attempting to score runs. The team scoring the most runs wins.
The West Haven club plays at Peterson Soccer Field on Bull Hill Lane and is supported by the city departments of Parks and Recreation, Park Maintenance and Public Works.
The Philadelphia Cricket Club is the oldest cricket club in the U.S., formed in 1834.
(Contributed Photo) |
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Mayor Rossi releases statement on Whittlesey assessment
WEST HAVEN, May 18, 2023 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi has released a statement on the Whittlesey assessment.
Read the full Statement.
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Banner project announced for Captain Thomas Blvd.
WEST HAVEN, May 18, 2023 — The Regional Chamber of West Haven and Milford is offering a unique chance to advertise West Haven businesses on Captain Thomas Boulevard during the spring, summer and fall months.
Each banner, which costs $350, will be displayed on a light tower in the center of Captain Thomas Boulevard as a way for visitors to look for businesses in West Haven.
Details at Banner Project. |
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Make Music Day set for Old Grove Park from 5-8:30 p.m. June 21
WEST HAVEN, May 18, 2023 — Make Music Day will return for a second year and celebrate the first day of summer with live music at the beach.
The free event, presented by ArtsWestCT and the West Haven Early Childhood Council, is scheduled from 5-8:30 p.m. June 21 in Old Grove Park on Palace Street.
Food trucks will be on-site, and community groups will have tables with educational information and helpful resources.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their musical instruments, or they can use one of a limited number made from repurposed materials and offered by ArtsWestCT for community use.
Sign up for the ArtsWestCT Newsletter to receive updates.
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Older Americans Month marked
WEST HAVEN, May 12, 2023 — Older Americans Month, established in 1963, is celebrated every May.
Led by the Administration for Community Living, OAM is a time for us to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older Americans, highlight important trends, and strengthen our commitment to honoring our older citizens.
This year’s theme, “Aging Unbound,” offers an opportunity to explore a wide range of aging experiences and promote the importance of enjoying independence and fulfillment by paving our own paths as we age. Read the full News Release.
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West Haven named a HEARTSafe community by heart association
WEST HAVEN, May 12, 2023 — The city has been named a HEARTSafe community by the state Department of Public Health and the American Heart Association, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.
DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani congratulated Rossi on West Haven’s designation in an April 24 letter.
“This three-year re-designation, effective April 24, 2023, recognizes your community’s continued commitment to provide improved cardiac response and care to the residents of your community utilizing the ‘Chain of Survival’ of early 9-1-1 access, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defibrillation and advanced care,” Juthani wrote.
Rossi commended Emergency Management Director Joseph Soto for coordinating the city’s application and meeting the renewal requirements of a HEARTSafe community.
“This recognition is a direct reflection of the efforts of our emergency management director, Joseph Soto,” Rossi said. “Thank you for continuing to make West Haven a safer community.”
The city has received a citation from the DPH Office of Emergency Medical Services for its designation.
The office’s HEARTSafe Program, in collaboration with the heart association, is aimed at helping Connecticut’s municipalities, workplaces and campuses improve the chances of survival for anyone suffering from a sudden cardiac arrest.
According to the program, 110 of the 169 municipalities are designated HEARTSafe communities. In addition, 11 businesses in the state are designated HEARTSafe workplaces.
The designations are awarded through an application process.
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Craft, farm, food truck vendors sought for market
WEST HAVEN, May 4, 2023 — The city is seeking craft, farm and food truck vendors to participate in the Tony Inzero Farmers Market, which will open its 2023 season July 6 in the Oak Street Beach parking lot off Captain Thomas Boulevard.
The market, nestled on the right side of the Oak Street municipal lot, will include state farmers selling homegrown fruits and vegetables and crafters selling wares from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays through Oct. 14.
It will also include food trucks.
To participate in the semiweekly market, download an Application.
Applications are also available for pickup in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 355 Main St., where they are due June 16.
Completed applications must be emailed to Killian Gruber, the market’s manager, at kgruber@westhaven-ct.gov or faxed to 203-937-3705.
For more information, call Gruber at 203-937-3510. |
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Applications available May 1-26 for summer youth jobs in city
WEST HAVEN, April 20, 2023 — Applications for the Summer Youth Employment Program will be available from May 1-26 in the athletic director’s office at West Haven High School and the main office at Bailey Middle School.
Applications are also available on the city website. Download an Application.
The six-week summer program, which begins July 10, is aimed at funding positions for low-income city residents ages 14-21.
Students must return applications with all required documents to West Haven High from 7-9 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and to Bailey from 8-10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
No applications will be accepted after May 26.
Students must also include copies of information, such as a birth certificate and Social Security card, as well as documentation of household income.
Family income is based on the number of people per household and is required to be within 185% of state poverty income levels.
In addition, some work sites will require a COVID-19 vaccination. Students must indicate their vaccination status on the application.
Incomplete applications will not be processed. Applicants will be notified by mail or phone if more information is needed.
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Food scrap bags sold at retail sites
WEST HAVEN, Feb. 24, 2023 — Residents who need more green and orange food scrap bags can buy them at the following retail locations ($1.05 for five green bags and $1.55 for five orange bags):
• Krauszer’s Food Store, 10 Jones Hill Road (Babybrook Shopping Center, corner of Ocean Avenue)
• Krauszer’s Food Store, 911 Campbell Ave. (corner of Spring Street)
• Krauszer’s Food Store, 377 Campbell Ave. (corner of Brown Street)
• Krauszer’s Food Store, 191 Platt Ave. (near the WHHS entrance)
• Nazar Halal Meat & Market, 39 Elm St. (West River Plaza)
• Greatway Food Store, 502 Sawmill Road (across from Walmart)
• Best Gas & Food Mart, 161 Boston Post Road (near the Allington Green)
• Noble Gas Station, 941 Boston Post Road (corner of Farwell Street)
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City touts launch of state’s largest food-to-clean-energy program
WEST HAVEN, Nov. 14, 2022 — West Haven is the first city in the state to offer a citywide curbside food scrap diversion option to all single-family residents, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced. Rossi said the program allows all single-family homes — one, two and three families — to easily separate food scraps and have them collected at the curb in the same container now used for residents’ trash collection. The city has received a $1.3 million Sustainable Materials Management grant from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to develop and launch a food-to-clean-energy program. Grant Coordinator Doug Colter, who secured the funding for the city, said the state is facing a solid waste disposal crisis, as traditional options for disposing of municipal solid waste are diminishing or becoming more expensive. With fewer and rapidly aging disposal options in Connecticut, residents and municipal leaders can expect disposal costs to increase at the remaining waste incineration facilities “as well as out-of-state landfilling,” Colter said. On Nov. 7, the West Haven Food to Clean Energy program launched a nine-month pilot project for curbside food scrap diversion. Participation in the program comes at no cost to the 16,000 eligible households. Colter said the funding covers the purchase of special color-coded bags for trash and for food scrap separation for the nine-month pilot. It also covers the cost of educational materials — mailers, a website and a Connect mobile app — along with personnel to sort the bags and the shipment of food scraps to Quantum Biopower in Southington, where the food will be converted into clean electricity, he said. More details at Food Scrap Recycling. Informational MaterialsThe Downsizing Donation Guide: A Resource for Residents of New Haven County (PDF)What’s In? What’s Out? A Guide to Recycling (PDF)
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