Citizen photo by Pamela Morello

Irving Schlesinger, center, stands with Sen. Len Fasano, First Selectman Janet McCarty, Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz and State Rep. Steve Fontana after receiving his Public Service Award for his service in World War II.

One by one, North Haven's men and women who served in World War II stepped up to receive an honor for what most felt was simply their duty, but which was in fact an act of heroism. That humble spirit characterizes their entire generation, a group of people who literally changed the course of the world through their service.

First Selectman Janet McCarty said that the veterans possessed "an unbelievable bravery, but a quiet bravery."

"I think that's why it took so long to get the World War II memorial," McCarty said, "because people were being quiet about their amazing deeds."

The veterans - about 80 in all - were gathered with family and friends in the North Haven High School auditorium this Tuesday to be honored with the Connecticut Secretary of State's Public Service Award. It was the 63rd ceremony that Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz has led to recognize WWII veterans across the state.

Bysiewicz had the idea for the award ceremonies after listening to some startling statistics at a veteran's affairs committee meeting. "In Connecticut we lose 40 of our greatest generation every day," she said. "In the country, we're losing 1,500 World War II veterans every day."

"I decided that time is of the essence, and it's important to say thank you to this very important group of people before it's too late," Bysiewicz said.

Sen. Len Fasano said the rates at which we are losing WWII veterans is unbelievable, and that they should be remembered as the greatest generation. "When we talk about WWII veterans we are talking about the greatest generation," Fasano said, "and every generation after that has been the most benefited generation because of them."

Howard Luppi was the first veteran to share his thoughts at the ceremony. "I think it was our parents who were the greatest generation," Luppi said. "They lived through the Depression, and they gave us something that most people don't have, and that's love of this country."

Louis DelGuidice, who served in the Air Force, recalled a story about his experience aboard the B24 Liberator. DelGuidice was a radio operator on the plane, which was shot down over France, then occupied by the Germans, on Jan. 7, 1944.

"We had to bail out," he said. "I was lucky to have landed on a friendly French farm," he said.

DelGuidice was taken in by the Millereaux family, members of the French Underground, and hidden in the home above the pharmacy they owned. He was led by the French Resistance over the Pyrenees mountains into Spain, and eventually made his way back to back to England using fake identification papers. He chronicled his war experience with photos on a board displayed just outside the auditorium where other veterans also brought their memories and medals.

Bysiewicz said that all the WWII veterans she has met in Connecticut have three qualities - resiliency, modesty, and a continuation of public service.

"Many of you saw terrible atrocities, endured great pain, and made great sacrifices," she said. "But despite all that you came back and raised beautiful families and led productive lives."

And though most WWII veterans do not think of themselves as heroes, they are considered such by many people. "We admire so much your courage and your bravery," Bysiewicz said.

Comments :