"Honoring the men and women who served our country in the past and present those who gave their lives and those who are still serving," said Jerry Brazykowski, a city resident who is also a veteran.

Maria Gonzalez attended the ceremony with her granddaughters, whose mother, her daughter, is currently serving in the U.S. Army and stationed in Virginia.

"We get to talk to her all the time and see her so, there's a lot of technology that the girls could talk to her every day. It's hard sometimes, but we manage," said Gonzalez.

Some at the ceremony wanted to honor their fallen comrades, like Hal Proulx Jr., who was initially drafted in the U.S. Army in the 1960s, then after serving two years, joined the U.S. Marine Corps.

He was awarded two Purple Hearts.

"Veterans Day is for those men who died. I mean, I just got wounded, a bullet and shrapnel," said Proulx.

The city also commemorated the 100th anniversary of the armistice that was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

It put an end to World War I, often referred to as the “war to end all wars.”

"Unfortunately, that didn't happen. We had another world war. We've had many conflicts in the last 100 years," said City Council President Robert Ferri, who spoke at Sunday’s ceremony.

"We can never forget our veterans, freedom is not free," he added.

 

Mario Hilario-NBC 10 NEWS

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