Stamford Honors Veterans With Parade, Ceremony

STAMFORD, CT — Under bright blue skies Sunday, the city of Stamford gathered at Veterans Memorial Park to honor all those who have served in the armed forces.

A parade stepped-off in front of the Stamford Police Department and ended at the park, where a ceremony took place honoring parade Grand Marshal and veteran James L. Dudley Jr., and Purple Heart recipients.

Stamford was also designated as a "Purple Heart City" and placed on the Purple Heart Trail.

The event was put on by the Patriotic and Special Events Commission, and the Stamford Veterans Park Partnership and Veterans Council.

U.S. Army Sgt. Hubert Delany served as the emcee, and quoted the late Colin Powell when describing what Veterans Day is all about.

"Veterans Day is a time when the nation stops and recognizes that we are free. We are a democracy, we are a successful country in the world, because we've had to fight for it over the years," Delany said. "We must continue to believe in those that serve, and remember them not just on Veterans Day, but everyday."

Several elected officials made brief remarks.

Stamford Mayor-elect Caroline Simmons thanked the veterans in attendance for their service, and said it's important to teach the next generation about the heroism and sacrifices of veterans.

She explained that earlier in the day, she told her three-year-old son, Teddy, she was going to a Veterans Day parade. Teddy began to ask questions about veterans and who they are, Simmons said.

"I was struck at the innocence of his questions, but really how remarkable it is what our veterans give to us, to our families. I think sometimes we take for granted the rights and freedoms we have, the fact that our kids can learn and play safely. We can never take that for granted," Simmons added. "We have to do everything we can to continue to stand up for those freedoms and to make sure we're thanking those veterans for making all of this possible, all of these sacred rights we have in our beautiful country."

U.S. Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) was in attendance, and said civilians have an obligation to remember all those who have served.

"Thank you to each and every one of you for your service, but most importantly for reminding us of our service to thank and honor you for what you have done," he said.

Himes encouraged everyone to take the time and ask a veteran about their service, or their medals, in an effort to keep their stories alive.

Outgoing Mayor David Martin declared Nov. 7, 2021 as Petty Officer 3rd Class James L. Dudley Jr. Day in Stamford. Dudley served as the Grand Marshal for the parade.

"It's a fabulous day today, I think everyone can agree. Even if it was raining, maybe even hailing, it would still be a fabulous day because of the service of so many people who have defended this country," Martin said.

Dudley served during the Vietnam War on the USS Saratoga just off the coast of the southeast Asian country. While on the bridge of the ship as a lookout, he witnessed the fatal crash of an A6 intruder attack aircraft, and assisted in the successful search and rescue operation of a bombardier navigator who was the sole survivor.

Dudley received several medals and commendations for his service in the 1970s.

"I'm at a loss of words. I never saw this coming. I love my hometown of Stamford, and to get this award was really a surprise," said Dudley, who also served for six years on the Stamford Board of Representatives.

Dudley paraphrased President John F. Kennedy when speaking about military service.

"Any man who asks what he did to make his life worthwhile can respond with a great deal of pride and satisfaction in saying I served in the United States Navy," Dudley said. "I'm proud to have served in the United States Navy."

Major Daniel Eddinger (ret.), a Torrington resident, serves as commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. A Purple Heart recipient himself, Eddinger has worked to establish more visibility for recipients of the award.

The award is given to those who have been wounded or killed while serving.

"The purple heart is not something we volunteer for. Nobody raises their hand and says, 'Hey, I want one of those.' It's also not a status symbol," Eddinger said. "It doesn't mean because you wear a Purple Heart, you're above and beyond everybody else. It simply means that our government recognized the sacrifice you gave in the military service."

Eddinger presented Martin with a plaque that designated Stamford as a Purple Heart City and added it to the Purple Heart Trail.

The trail is a symbolic and honorary system of roads, highways, bridges and other monument that give tribute to the men and women who have been given the award.

Stamford itself has a long history of residents who have served in the military. Stamford native William Brown was the first to receive the Purple Heart Medal, formerly known as the Badge of Military Merit, from its founder, President George Washington.

Brown enlisted in the 5th Connecticut Regiment as a corporal on May 23, 1775 and re-enlisted as a private on April 9, 1777 for the duration of the war.

Steve Fischer, Commander of the Stamford Veterans Council, recognized Purple Heart recipients and their families in the audience.

The Veterans Memorial Park has been transformed over the past eight years. According to Richard Redniss, President of the Stamford Veterans Park Partnership, the work isn't done just yet.

Redniss said a Gold Star monument will be unveiled for Memorial Day 2022. There will also be other events at the park in the future, such as the honoring of the 2022 Patriot Award recipient.