This year’s Veterans Day celebrations were blessed with gorgeous weather and an enthusiastic crowd! Citizens for Milford was thrilled to organize the concluding ceremony at Draper Memorial Park, honoring the service and sacrifice of all our veterans and their families! Highlighting the ceremony were heartfelt remarks by our three featured speakers:
LT. COLONEL VINCENZO VALASTRO (U.S. Army Retired), who served our nation in uniform for 28 years, including during the Cold War, Operation Desert Shield, and Operation Desert Storm, and as a civilian at Natick Labs for over 19 years, was honored as Grand Marshal of this year’s Veterans Day parade. CYNTHIA A. MAININI (U.S. Army Retired), who volunteered to join the Women’s Army Corps (WACs) in 1972 and continues to serve in the Protection Engineering Support Division of the U.S. Army DEVCOM Soldier Center. ARTHUR A. RUSSO, a third-generation U.S. Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War and was deployed to convoy escort duty in the Mekong Delta for the Ninth Infantry Division.THANK YOU! We extend our sincere gratitude to our three veterans speakers and everyone who participated in this special event: Italian-American World War Veterans Milford Post #40 Commander Eric Ruscitti and Vice Commander Timothy McDonough; Rev. Richard A. Scioli, Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church; David and Nicholas Monroy, Sons of the American Legion; soloist and MHS senior Aolani Clayton; Milford High School Marching Band, led by Music Director Jill Boday; Major Kevin M. Polito, Milford Salvation Army; Waters Corporation Veterans Employee Resource Group; and bagpiper and Milford Fireman Lt. Scott Keefe. Serving as master of ceremonies was Peter Scandone, with assistance from fellow Citizens for Milford members Jo-ann DeMaria Morgan and Geri Eddins. Peter has served as chairman of the committee organizing this ceremony since its inception, over 10 years ago.
AND MORE THANKS! We also thank everyone who helped us plan and execute this event! Thank you to the Milford Department of Veterans Services, the Milford Parks Department, and Town Facilities Manager Carlos Benjamin.
And, we thank our honored guests who attended: Milford Veterans Agent John Pilla; Representative Brian Murray; members of the Milford Select Board Paul Mazzuchelli, Michael Walsh, and Tom O’Loughlin; and Milford High School Principal Dr. Joshua Otlin.
Let’s not forget the surprise visit from The Salvation Army of Greater Milford serving free hot chocolate and snacks!
But, MOST IMPORTANTLY, we thank our veterans and their families! We extend our very deepest gratitude to you all. 
THANK YOU!
THANK YOU!
Veterans Day Ceremony Speakers L to R: Grand Marshal Vincenzo Valastro (U.S. Army Retired), Arthur A. Russo (U.S. Army Veteran), and Cynthia A. Mainini (U.S. Army Retired).