Sen. Chapin Honors Gulf War Veterans in Torrington

Article as it appeared in the New Haven Register

TORRINGTON >> An observance ceremony honoring U.S. Gulf War veterans was held at Torrington’s Coe Memorial Park Center on Saturday afternoon.

The event, sponsored by the Torrington Veterans’ Support Committee, was attended by 26 people. Recently, Jan. 17 marked 24 years since the official commencement of the Persian Gulf War. Although the Gulf War ground warfare lasted only 100 hours, the effects on veterans and the national psyche have been enduring.

The program was inaugurated by the singing of the National Anthem by Mary Gryniuk, a local singer who hails from a veteran’s family, and the leading of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Leo Martigneni, 61, chairman of the 10-member Torrington Veterans Support Committee, served as the ceremony’s emcee and organized the event.

Prior to the event, Martigneni said, “The public comes out to show respect and appreciation for what the Gulf War veterans have done for all of us. The veterans are there to see how much their efforts are appreciated.”

Roger Geiger, chaplain for the American Legion Post 38 and AmVets Post 24, gave the ceremony’s invocation.

State Sen. Clark Chapin, R-30, read a proclamation from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy declaring the day “Gulf War Veterans Day.” Chapin reminded the audience of the brief war’s statistics: 148 battle deaths; 145 non-battle deaths; and 467 soldiers wounded in action. “They (the soldiers) endured unimaginable horrors while protecting the freedoms of us all,” Chapin added.

Connecticut’s 63rd House District Representative Jay Case and 65th Assembly District state Representative Michelle Cook presented a citation for the contributions of local Gulf War veterans.

Mayor Elinor Carbone gave a proclamation during the observance ceremony: “We acknowledge major sacrifices and honor the soldiers and their families.” Carbone added, “Soldiers step forward when needed, and they defend freedom and sacrifice so we can experience liberty.”

Retired United States Air Force Master Sgt. and Gulf War veteran Donald Sage, 57, of Goshen was the featured speaker during the ceremony and the single representative of the war at the event. “I had a front row seat,” Sage said of his combat experience. “Tanks were lined up, bomber planes took off, all in the space of two parking lots. It was pretty impressive. Things went smoothly.”

Sage began serving in the U.S. Air Force reserves in 1974. As a medical technician in the Air Force’s Aero Medical Evacuation Unit from February to April 1991, Sage and his team were in charge of picking up wounded soldiers. Sage said prior to the ceremony “The experience was fulfilling in that you got to do your job and your training paid off.” At one point, Sage was in charge of flying 75 injured patients, many with amputated limbs, out of the country via the east region of Saudi Arabia.

Sage retired from the Air Force in 1997. He remarked, “It is good to recognize the sacrifices of those who went to war and didn’t return.”

During his speech, Sage said the Gulf War also reinvigorated the public’s faith in the U.S.’s armed forces. “After Vietnam, politicians decided to sell out the military because they never thought it would be needed again,” Sage said. “Desert Storm and Desert Shield restored confidence in the military.”

Sage also read from his cell phone a text message from a fellow veteran who could not make Saturday’s ceremony. Sage read, “‘I am honored to be part of this and honored to bring the (American) flag to our enemies.’”

“I’ve been coming here for 15 years,” Sage said at the end of his speech, acknowledging the event’s scarcity of other Gulf War veterans. “I would urge people to try to come next year, coming not for yourselves but for the people who died (in the war).”

Prior to the ceremony Sage said, “It is nice that the city of Torrington does this every year. It is most appreciated.”

On the challenges of serving in Gulf War, Sage said, “The adrenaline was flowing. In warfare there were a lot more men you are responsible for.”

Ceremony attendee Joe Pathe, 78, of AmVets Post 24 and host of Channel 5’s “Veterans View Show,” said the ceremony was important in acknowledging veterans’ important contributions.

After Sage’s speech, various representatives from local veterans’ organizations, including Navy Seabee veterans X-1 and Korean War veterans, saluted the memorial wreaths at the front of the Civic

The ceremony moved to the steps of the Center. The Honors Squad executed a rifle salute and “Taps” was played by Torrington High School student Steven Hintz, 16.

Back indoors, Geiger performed the ceremonies benediction: “Thank you for the blessing of our soldiers. Give them courage and guide them and their families.”