Simsbury Memorial Day ceremony honors the fallen; officials call for unity

First Selectman Wendy McStudis presented Simsbury’s Memorial Day proclamation and joined local, state and federal officials in a ceremony at Simsbury Center on May 25 that honored residents who died in military service.

"Whereas Memorial Day is more than a date on the calendar," McStudis read as part of the proclamation, urging residents to "join together in remembrance" and to reflect on "the extraordinary sacrifice made by so many." The proclamation asked the community to remember those who gave their lives while observing traditions that bring the town together.

State Senator Paul Honig, who said he represents the 8th District and serves as co-chair of the legislature’s Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, recounted meeting World War II and Korean War veterans and reflected on the personal costs of combat. "The men and women we remember today never grew old," Honig said, describing the empty chairs and missed birthdays that accompany wartime losses and urging the crowd to treat Memorial Day as "a specific reckoning with what was lost."

Former Navy Seaman Ismael Mendoza, who served in Iraq and the Naval Reserve and is now a photographer and media director, delivered the event’s Memorial Day speech. Mendoza described the bonds that form among service members from different backgrounds and said Memorial Day "has nothing to do with me" but instead centers on remembering those who sacrificed their lives.

Congresswoman Joanna Hayes told the audience she is "humbled to be here" and noted her office’s work with young people seeking appointments to the military service academies. Hayes praised the willingness of young people to serve and acknowledged the debt owed to veterans and their families.

The program included musical tributes: David Moore and retired Master Sergeant Sabrina Tara performed the national anthem; children from Terapell Elementary School sang "America the Beautiful;" a reader listed names of local service members interred at Terapill Cemetery; Frank, identified as a Terapill native, played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes; and taps were sounded in a moment of silence.

The ceremony opened with a prayer from Pastor Jeremiah Mendoza and closed with a prayer from Assistant Pastor Jeremiah Mendoza; organizers thanked veterans’ organizations including the VFW and American Legion and asked attendees to observe traditions such as saluting the colors. The color guard formally retired the colors to conclude the event.

The program did not record any formal motions or votes; the ceremony was a civic observance and concluded after closing remarks and the retiring of colors.