ABOVE: Vietnam War-era veteran Mariano DeGregorio, who was stationed out of Germany in 1967-70, left front, is among the sea of people who lined the Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park to search for bricks they bought in honor of loved ones at a ceremony Saturday, May 29, dedicating the walkway’s fourth and final phase.

 

Under breezy, overcast skies, hundreds of veterans, well-wishers, Veterans Council members and city officials came out en masse for the 5 p.m. dedication, which featured remarks from Mayor John M. Picard, mayoral Chief of Staff James T. Burns Jr., the master of ceremonies, and Veterans Council President Lori Grenfell.

The brief ceremony included a presentation of colors by the Police and Fire departments, the national anthem by West Haven High School junior Caitlin Morrissey, an invocation from Veterans Council Chaplain Frederick Kaiser and taps by former West Shore Fire Department Lt. Kevin McKeon. It also included a wreath-laying.

In November 2006, the council began the first of four campaigns selling bricks to memorialize veterans on the 100-yard walkway between the Soderman Memorial Flagpole and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The bricks, which cost $60 each, have charcoal lettering for personalized messages. About 1,850 bricks have been installed. Officials dedicated the walkway’s first phase and the city’s first Korean War memorial in May 2007.

In May 2008, officials dedicated the walkway’s second phase and a memorial in honor of World War II Army Pfc. William A. Soderman, who received the Medal of Honor after he distinguished himself in December 1944 while defending an important road junction near Rocherath, Belgium.

Four years after his death, the city dedicated the memorial flagpole in Bradley Point Park for Soderman on July 1, 1984.
Public Works Commissioner Beth A. Sabo has overseen the construction of all phases of the walkway, which was built by City Point Construction Co., as well as the design and erection of the granite Korean War and Soderman memorials, which were crafted by Shelley Bros. Monuments of Guilford.

Also in 2008, officials dedicated 14 grave markers that signify every war in U.S. history and peacetime. The markers are mounted on granite posts.

Last May, people turned out in droves for the dedication of the walkway’s third phase.

 

The West Haven Police Color Guard leads dignitaries.

The West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard, composed of members of the three fire districts, carries the American flag to the William A. Soderman Memorial Flagpole for the ceremonial raising.

West Haven High School junior Caitlin Morrissey sings the national anthem.

Veterans Council Chaplain Frederick Kaiser gives the invocation.

Mayor John M. Picard welcomes the legion of veterans and well-wishers to Bradley Point Park.

Kaiser and fellow Veterans Council member Harold W. Hartmann lay a wreath at the base of the William A. Soderman memorial.