x
Breaking News
More () »

The honor of ringing the bell in Bristol for Veterans Day

A 98-year-old Iwo Jima survivor was front and center at the ceremony.

BRISTOL, Conn. — A Veterans Day tradition continued at the American Legion Post 2 in Bristol where veterans from all branches of service were honored and remembered.

Front and center at the ceremony was Joe Caminiti, a 98-year-old great-grandfather who served in the Marine Corps and is an Iwo Jima survivor.

Sign up for the FOX61 newsletters: Morning Forecast, Morning Headlines, Evening Headlines

Caminiti, from Bristol, was asked to perform the honor of ringing the USS Kidd Ship Bell as a tribute to veterans past, present, and future.

“It’s an honor, it’s a big honor,” Caminiti said before he was called up for the ceremony.

RELATED: Veterans honored at Torrington elementary school ceremony

Dave Carello, an Army veteran and retired Bristol police officer served as the master of ceremonies for the Veterans Day event.

“This is in my heart,” said Carello, who has a family history of military service. “Honor your veterans, we’re the ones that sacrificed to keep and maintain the freedoms that this country has.”

RELATED: New Haven bridge to be lit red, white and blue for Veterans Day

The past month in Bristol has been a tragic one – the town has endured the deaths of two of its beloved police officers; Veterans Day offered a chance to embrace more hometown heroes.

John Phelan, 42, a retired Sgt. First Class in the U.S. Army Special Forces said, “Today is a happy day, today is a humbling day.”

Phelan, who also is a four-time Bronze Star recipient (one for Valor) added, “Our community still loves us, and our country loves us, and this is a great day for all who served.”

Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

---

Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com

---

HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS

Download the FOX61 News APP

iTunes: Click here to download

Google Play: Click here to download

Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.

Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.

FOLLOW US ON TWITTERFACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM

Before You Leave, Check This Out