Mayor Nancy R. Rossi lays a wreath at the base of the granite William A. Soderman Memorial on the Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park during the city’s virtual observance of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day on Monday. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Pearl Harbor virtual event airing on West Haven YouTube

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 7, 2020 — Due to COVID-19 restrictions limiting large public gatherings, the city and the West Haven Veterans Council commemorated Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day on Monday with a virtual ceremony now airing on the city’s YouTube channel.

Rossi delivered poignant remarks honoring the American patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice 79 years ago during Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.

Watch the 19-minute ceremony on West Haven YouTube.

On Dec. 7, 1941, just before 8 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time, a swarm of 360 Japanese warplanes descended on the island of Oahu and bombed the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor, killing an estimated 2,335 service members and 68 civilians.

“This event would launch the neutral United States into action during World War II to protect the democratic freedoms enjoyed by Americans, our Allies and many others around the world,” said Rossi, speaking from a World War II exhibit in the West Haven Veterans Museum at 30 Hood Terrace.

“The men and women who lived during this tumultuous time would become known as the greatest generation,” said Rossi, flanked by a wingtip from a Japanese Zero fighter that was shot down by a Bridgeport anti-aircraft unit. “If we do not take the time to remember (Pearl Harbor), we risk a sense of disconnection that dishonors the memory of those who died.”

The solemn service also featured remarks by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Veterans Council President Dave Ricci. Louis P. Esposito Jr., Rossi’s executive assistant, served as the master of ceremonies.

Representing the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Florence Stoeber, the wife of the late Jack Stoeber, a Navy veteran of Pearl Harbor and Iwo Jima who was a regular at West Haven’s Pearl Harbor rites for many years, read the names of the 18 Connecticut servicemen who died at Pearl Harbor. Capt. William S. Johnson IV, joined by members of the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard, tolled the department’s chrome bell each instant a name was called.

Stoeber, whose ashes were scattered in Pearl Harbor after he died Jan. 16, 2016, at age 97, was a .50-caliber machine-gunner aboard the destroyer tender USS Whitney in the Pacific theater of World War II.

In her remarks, Rossi noted that Floyd Welch, Connecticut’s last known Pearl Harbor survivor, died Aug. 17 at age 99. Welch, of East Lyme, served aboard the battleship USS Maryland and helped save many lives aboard the bombarded battleship USS Oklahoma.

“West Haven is fortunate to have created places, such as Bradley Point, the Soderman Memorial Flagpole and our Veterans Walk of Honor, where we can gather to remember our military and honor heroes like Floyd Welch,” Rossi said.

In observance of Pearl Harbor Day, West Haven Vietnam Veterans member William “Bill” Benson lowered the museum’s American flag to half-staff.

The tribute included the Pledge of Allegiance led by Veterans Council member Al Terr, the national anthem sung by West Haven High School senior Nora E. Mullins, and opening and closing prayers given by Vietnam Veterans chaplain Elliott Hastings.

It also included a wreath-laying by Rossi and taps played by former West Shore Fire Department Lt. Kevin McKeon.

Representing the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Florence Stoeber, the wife of the late Jack Stoeber, a Navy veteran of Pearl Harbor and Iwo Jima, reads the names of the 18 Connecticut servicemen who died at Pearl Harbor in 1941 as master of ceremonies Louis P. Esposito Jr., Rossi’s executive assistant, looks on. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Flanked by members of the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard, Capt. William S. Johnson IV, left, rings the department’s chrome bell 18 times in honor of the 18 Connecticut servicemen who died in the Japanese bombing of the U.S. Navy base on Oahu, Hawaii. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Former West Shore Fire Department Lt. Kevin McKeon plays taps. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Rossi heralds the holidays with surprise virtual tree lighting

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, joined by 10-year-old grandson Arthur Rossi and Santa Claus, heralds the holiday season Saturday with a surprise virtual lighting of the Christmas tree on the West Haven Green. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Rossi heralds holidays with surprise virtual tree lighting

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 7, 2020 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi heralded the holiday season Saturday with a surprise virtual lighting of the Christmas tree on the Green.

Despite the city postponing this year’s public tree lighting festivities to 2021 due to rising coronavirus cases and restrictions limiting large public gatherings, Rossi, whose favorite holiday is Christmas, could not bear the thought of waiting another year.

So, with a little help from Santa Claus and her 10-year-old grandson, Arthur Rossi, the mayor decided to share the true spirit of Christmas by giving residents a gift in the form of a special tree lighting video presentation to hold them over until next year.

Watch the video presentation on West Haven YouTube.

“The health and safety of our residents is more important than ever this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Rossi said. “Hopefully this time next year, we can fully celebrate our tree lighting festivities on the Green.”

City sets up hotline for reporting COVID-19 violations

West Haven establishes hotline for reporting COVID-19 violations

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 7, 2020 — The Health Department has established a COVID-19 hotline for case reporting and reporting violations of Reopen Connecticut’s Sector Rules.

The new telephone line, 203-937-3530, is aimed at reducing the department’s call volume due to rising coronavirus cases, Health Director Maureen B. Lillis said.

Lillis said the hotline is also part of the department’s public health disaster plan in the event the office must close during the pandemic.

Anyone can report a Sector Rule violation by calling 203-937-3530 and leaving a voicemail message for a return call by a staff member.

All staff members have access to the voicemail system to retrieve messages. Complaints are kept confidential.

COVID-19 Testing Site at Savin Rock Conference Center

Sound Health newsletter published

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 7, 2020 — Stay connected and engaged during the pandemic with Sound Health, the official newsletter of the West Haven Health Department.

Check out the latest edition at Sound Health.