WEST HARTFORD, CT — A retired U.S. Army Reserve leader with 42 years of military service will deliver the keynote address at West Hartford's annual Veterans Day ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 11.
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Patrick Nelligan, a Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame inductee and former senior warrant officer in the U.S. Army Reserve, will speak during the ceremony at 11 a.m. in the West Hartford Town Hall Auditorium, 50 South Main St.
The event is open to the public.
Before the ceremony, West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor and Nelligan will lay a memorial wreath at the town's Veterans Memorial, at the corner of North Main Street and Farmington Avenue, at 10:30 a.m.
The annual observance will honor military veterans and recognize their service to the country.
Veterans Day Ceremony
In addition to Nelligan, speakers will include Cantor and state Sen. Derek Slap, D-West Hartford.
James Caley, commander of American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96, will serve as master of ceremonies.
Pastor Dana Hallenbeck will deliver the invocation and benediction.
Two Conard High School students will also participate in the program.
Senior Ellen Hill will sing the national anthem, while junior Lucas French will perform taps on the bugle.
Color guards from American Legion Post 96 and the West Hartford police and fire departments will participate in the ceremony.
Keynote Speaker Served 42 Years in the Army
Nelligan began his military career in 1982 as an enlisted field artillery soldier and eventually rose to the rank of chief warrant officer 5.
During his 42-year career, he served in Germany, Honduras, Guatemala, and Kuwait, including service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
He ultimately became the eighth command chief warrant officer of the U.S. Army Reserve, serving in the command's senior warrant officer leadership position.
Beyond his military career, Nelligan has worked as an entrepreneur, inventor, and health care technology professional.
His professional and community efforts have focused on improving equipment and systems, supporting veteran employment and assisting military families.
He has also been involved in efforts to help veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide-related challenges, as well as disabled veterans who need functioning medical equipment.
Nelligan is a graduate and longtime contributor to the University of Connecticut's Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans, a program that helps veterans develop business skills and pursue entrepreneurial opportunities.
He has used his experiences to mentor other veterans transitioning from military service into civilian careers.
Nelligan holds an associate degree in biomedical equipment maintenance, bachelor's degrees in applied behavioral studies and liberal studies, and a master's degree in business administration with a concentration in health care.
He currently works for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as the lead biomedical equipment support specialist at its Newington campus.
Nelligan lives in Bristol with his wife, Nancy. They have three adult children, Darby, Thomas, and Owen.
VETERANS DAY HOLIDAY CLOSINGS
Municipal offices, libraries, the community center, and senior centers are closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day.
Public schools and education offices remain open. Trash and recycling collection will not be delayed.
Event Details
American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96 has served veterans and the West Hartford community for 107 years. For additional information about the post, visit www.post96.org or call 860-233-9029.
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