In a heartfelt ceremony at Bradley Point, West Haven paid tribute to the brave men and women who served in the military, adding new names to the city’s Vietnam Memorial and dedicating new bricks at the Walk of Honor. This event, held on Wednesday, was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans from conflicts ranging from World War II to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Honoring Service and Sacrifice

Among those honored was Vietnam veteran Robin R. Reiss, who enlisted in the Marines at the young age of 18 in 1969. His sister, Renee Bailey, shared that Reiss felt a deep sense of duty to serve his country. Despite being badly injured during the Vietnam War, Reiss returned home and eventually managed to lead a somewhat normal life, marrying and raising a family before passing away last year on Christmas.

His name, already present on the Vietnam Memorial, was joined by eight additional names during the ceremony. Bailey reflected on the challenging nature of the Vietnam War, acknowledging the complex feelings surrounding it but emphasizing the dedication of those who served.

Community Recognition

The city also dedicated 50 new bricks at the Walk of Honor, recognizing veterans for their military service. West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer expressed gratitude for the veterans’ service and sacrifices, highlighting their enduring examples of citizenship.

Vietnam veteran William Marazzi, a lifelong resident of West Haven, spoke about the significance of the memorial to the community. Marazzi, who has a brick honoring his Army service and two Purple Hearts, noted the meaningful recognition at Bradley Point, a place he fondly remembers from his youth.

“It does my heart good to see people come out to respect and show the veterans who gave so much,” Marazzi said, appreciating the community’s efforts to honor those who served.

Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.