By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — Hundreds of veterans, family members and others gathered in the Town Hall auditorium Saturday morning to salute the more than 41 million Americans who have served in the armed forces.

Those at the ceremony ranged from initial enlisted ranks up to brigadier general and served in recent engagements back to the Korean War.

Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Brien P. Horan, who served with the Connecticut Air National Guard and is a member of American Legion Post 63, led the ceremony.

He asked for a round of applause for Bill Vornkahl, president of the Westport Veterans Council, and other Korean War vets at the gathering. Vornkahl has organized such gatherings for decades.

“He graduated from Staples High School in the 1940s, he served with the historic First Cavalry Division in the Army, Korean War,” Horan said of Vornkahl.

Horan told the crowd that Veterans Day originally was known as Armistice Day, the end of the First World War. “The war which was called to end all wars,” he said.

“The armistice began at 11 a.m. on the 11^th of November 1918, it was the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month,” he said.

He said the observance originally honored veterans of that war, but now is known as Veterans Day and salutes all the nation’s veterans, whether serving in wartime or in peace.

Memorial Day, the last Monday of May, honors those who gave their lives in service of their country.

“So today, as we begin the program, we recognize that we honor all of our veterans … In particular, let us remember our departed friends and comrades,” Horan said, who sacrificed their pursuits at home to serve in uniform.

The Rev. Kevin Olds of St. Timothy’ s Episcopal Church in Fairfield gave the invocation and benediction.

“Oh God, governor of nations, our strength and shield, we give you thanks for the devotion and the courage of all those who have offered military service to this country,” Olds said.

“For those who have fought for freedom, for those who laid down their lives for others, for those who have borne suffering of mind of body,” he said. “For those who have brought their best gifts to times of need.”

“On our behalf they have entered into danger,” Olds said. “They endured separation from those they love, labored long hours, and borne hardship in war and in peacetime …”

“Hold safely in your hands all military families,” Olds asked. “And bring the returning troops to joyful reunion and tranquil life at home. Give to us, your people, grateful hearts, and united will to honor these men and women, and hold them always in our love and in our prayers, until your world is perfected in peace …”

First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker spoke on behalf of the Board of Selectwomen.

“I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our veterans, and to their families for the many contributions and sacrifices you’ve made to ensure our freedom and preserve our way of life,” Tooker said.

Westport Poet Laureate Jessica Noyes McEntee read the Robert Frost poem, “A Soldier.”

The Westport Community Band played patriotic pieces before and during the ceremony.

Greens Farms Academy junior Jared W. Lessing spoke about democracy and its challenges.

“As Abraham Lincoln said, ‘Let us have faith that right makes might,’” he said. “‘And in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.’”

“Our soldiers know they are fighting for an idea,” Lessing said. “A system of democracy whose single-greatest attribute is that since 1776 it has kept us safer, more prosperous, and freer than any other nation on Earth.”

“On this Veterans Day, let us honor the sacrifices that our veterans have made for us,” he said.

A wreath was presented, and the Westport Police Department’s firing detail, outside, fired a three-volley salute. Doors were opened so the crowd could hear rifle reports. The smell of spent powder wafted into the room.

Taps was sounded from a horn on stage, and echoed from another at the rear of the auditorium.

Thane Grauel grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond for 35 years. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.