Honoring Our Heroes: A Ceremony on the Green

A crowd gathered around the Veterans' War Memorial on the island between Fan Hill and Monroe Turnpike Sunday afternoon for a somber ceremony honoring the men and woman who lost their lives fighting for their country.

The day's theme was Honoring Our Heroes: Past and Present and the ceremony was held after the annual parade.

David York was the Master of Ceremonies and Rev. Kurt Huber of St. Peter's Episcopal Church gave the invocation and the Benediction.

First Selectman Steve Vavrek welcomed everyone to the ceremony. He attended the event with State Rep. DebraLee Hovey and state senators Anthony Musto and Kevin Kelly.

Kristen Wendt, a Masuk High School senior, sang the "Star Spangled Banner" and "America the Beautiful."

Two poems were read by Girl Scouts of America Brownie Troop #34421.

Several organizations presented memorial wreaths including The Monroe Women's Club, The Monroe Republican Club, The Monroe Democratic Club, The Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Service, The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary Post, The Knights of Columbus, The Lions Club, the Monroe, Stepney and Stevenson fire companies, and the town of Monroe.

The town of Monroe wreath was provided by The Flower Barn.

The American Flag was lowered to half mast during the playing of "Taps."

The Masuk High School Band performed during the ceremony and the Army National Guard fired shots into the air.

The Memorial Day Parade Committee, which organized the parade and ceremony, included Vavrek, Chairman Jerome Rookasin, James Bifulco, Ray Ganser, Lt. Brian McCauley, Richard Michel, Marsha Motter Beno, Vida Stone and Bob Tranzillo.