Shelton Intermediate School students presented a report on Iwo Jima while town officials stepped outside at the Riverwalk to honor Shelton's veterans Monday.
It was an especially poignant Veterans Day for Mayor Mark Lauretti, who attended the funeral of an Iwo Jima survivor was also a friend of the family. The veteran was also a city educator and knew Lauretti's father, also an Iwo Jima veteran.
"Service does not end at the termination of military service," said Alphonse Sabetta, of the Sutter-Terlizzi Post 16, who thanked all veterans with a "feeling of profound gratitude."
The veterans served with blood, sweat, courage, sacrifice and discipline. "We must cultivate these virtues," he said.
Board of Aldermen member Anthony Simonetti also thanked the veterans. "We can't thank you enough. Every day should be Veterans Day," he said. "We thank you that we have freedom because of all of you."
Board of Aldermen President John Anglace said Lauretti attended the ceremony at Shelton Intermediate School.
Lauretti's family friend voted in every single election since returning from Iwo Jima, Anglace added.
Veterans ended the ceremony with a gun salute and "Taps," after placing a wreath at the war memorials along the Riverwalk.
The names of all the veterans who have died since the last Veterans Day service.
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