Remembering Trumbull's Veterans and More

After surviving the Battle of the Rhine, James Frisino and his comrades were prepared to invade Japan.

But they did not have to go, and peace prevailed, temporarily.

That's what 86-year-old Trumbull resident James Frisino told the audience outside of Monday as Trumbull officials and residents and other listeners gathered to honor all fallen military and veterans. 

Frisino is a World War II European combat veteran who was awarded a Bronze Star and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

"My war began after my high school graduation," he said. "I celebrated my 19th birthday during the chase [the Battle of the Rhine]."

He graduated high school in New York City and joined the Army shortly afterward in 1944. He shipped out in 1945. After the war, he settled in Trumbull and started a family.

Today he and his wife have six children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

But it was the service of his neighbors that he recalled.

When his daughter had cancer, the neighborhood banded together. "We fought it all the way," Frisino said. "They moved us when we had to be moved. They were on duty."

"There has to be a better way to bring peace to a world that needs it and wants it," Frisino said. "Imagine a world without war. That's what we must strive for. God bless America."

Trumbull's Representatives Speak

"Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the past" and look to the future, said First Selectman Tim Herbst, whose grandfather is a veteran. "We all hope one day the world will be at peace, free of tyranny and evil."

"We must never forget the sacrifices of men and women," Herbst continued. "Our country has demonstrated that peace is the highest aspiration of a civilized people."

He asked the audience to honor veterans' sacrifices every day as they vote and worship "without fear of reprisal."

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State Sen. Anthony Musto recalled Sgt. Leslie Halasz Sabo, Jr., who was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal Of Honor after misplaced military paperwork was found earlier this year.

On May 10, 1970, Sgt. Sabo was killed in Cambodia during a battle that has become known as “The Mother’s Day Ambush.” After using his body to shield a comrade from a grenade, he kept going, and managed to throw a grenade into an enemy bunker despite being mortally wounded.

He held onto the grenade until the last minute, Musto said. "He saved his comrades, who meant more to him than life."

State Reps. Tony Hwang and T.R. Rowe also honored veterans. Hwang, who immigrated to America from Taiwan, added that "we need to do a better job" of taking care of the nation's veterans, who are coming home, traumatized, to unemployment.

"Freedom is not free," Hwang said.

Two Ceremonies

The day's first ceremony was held at 10 a.m. at the Vietnam Memorial on White Plains Road, where Frisino said he was at a war memorial where an enlisted man approached him and hugged him.

"I felt honored. It really made my day and I hope I made his day," Frisino said.

Veteran Tom Lee urged all veterans to march in the parade, which started on Main Street near . "I think it's important for people to see you folks," Lee said.

New flags were planted at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lee noted.

Trumbull resident James Carney and his grandsons, Dylan Alvarado, 13, and Martin Alvarado, 11, attended.

Carney, originally from Bridgeport, a former U.S. Marine and retired Connecticut State Trooper who served in Vietnam for a year, said he was pleased the ceremony. He spent his 20th birthday there.

"It's a good community, very strong veterans community. It's amazing to see such a nice turnout," Carney said.