Veterans Crisis Line

Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one?

Support is free, confidential, and available 24 / 7

CALL
800.273.8255, Option 1

TTY
Dial 711 then 800.273.8255

TEXT
838255

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Norwalk Military & Veterans Liaison Committee, Photo by esward.com

Help for Homeless Veterans

Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are strongly encouraged to contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans for assistance. If Veterans do not have access to a phone or the internet, only then are they to visit their closest VA medical center without calling in advance.

877.4AID.VET
(877.424.3838)

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Events

The Norwalk Military & Veterans Liaison Committee is organized by The City of Norwalk to manage major patriotic events within the community. The annual events are as follows:

Cemetery Visitation: Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 10a (the third Sunday in May, but moved because of a conflict with Mother's Day)
Veterans Memorial Ceremony: Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 12:30p (the third Sunday in May, but moved because of a conflict with Mother's Day)
- 12:30p: Concert
- 1p: Ceremony
- 2p: Reception
Memorial Day Parade: Monday, May 26, 2025 (the last Monday in May)
D-Day Commemoration: Friday, June 6, 2025 at 6p (annually on June 6)
Patriot Day: Thursday, September 11, 2025 (annually on September 11)
POW / MIA Commemoration: Friday, September 19, 2025 at 6p (the third Friday in September)
Veterans Day Ceremony: Tuesday, November 11, 2025 (annually on November 11)
Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration: Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 9a (annually on December 7)

As veterans, we strive to continue to serve our community, our comrades, and our great nation. We welcome requests for our services or suggestions about expanding them.

In past years, the we have also sponsored essay contests (e.g. D-Day commemoration, Vietnam Memorial replica visit), presented books to schools (The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw), provided guest speakers to our schools, and honored several Norwalkers for their service to the local veterans' community.

Cemetery Visitation takes place on the third Sunday in May at 10a, but due to a conflict with Mother's Day, this year’s event will take place on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 10a.

All participants meet in the City Hall parking lot for a short ceremony. Participants will then be split in two groups. Each group will have a group leader with the schedule. All cemeteries will be visited. Flags will be replaced as needed. Taps will be played and a short prayer will be read at each stop. At the conclusion, the groups will attend the Veterans Memorial Ceremony at the Shea-Magrath Memorial at Calf Pasture Beach.

The Veterans Memorial Ceremony will take place Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 1p, preceded by a concert at 12:30p. Both events will take place at the Shea Magrath Memorial at Calf Pasture Beach (42 Seaview Avenue) and will be followed by a reception, free and open to all.

The ceremony honors Norwalk’s two most heroic sons (Medal of Honor recipients Daniel Shea and John Magrath) and all 169 Norwalkers who paid the supreme sacrifices while serving their country from World War II to present.

John Magrath was Norwalk’s first posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism while fighting in Italy with the 10^th Mountain Division. It is remarkable that John was the lone member of that famed division, which fought so heroically throughout the Italian campaign, to be awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II.

Daniel Shea was a medic serving with the American Division in Vietnam and he earned the Medal of Honor by repeatedly risking his life to provide battlefield care to his comrades, ultimately giving his life as he sought to save theirs.

Both of these heroic sons of Norwalk were fine young men before entering the service, serving the community and being active in the Boy Scouts of America. John was an Eagle Scout and Daniel’s love of the outdoors was recognized by the naming of Shea Island (visible from the Shea-Magrath Memorial) in his honor.

To learn more about the brave Norwalk veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice, please visit norwalkctheroes.org.

The parade theme is Honor Our Veterans - Support Our Troops, and we honor the men and women who died while serving in this country’s armed forces.

In past years, bands participating in the parade have included the Norwalk Fire Department Pipe Band, the Norwalk High School Marching Bears, the Brien McMahon High School Marching Senators, as well as bands from West Rocks, Roton, Ponus Ridge, Nathan Hale Middle Schools.

A host of civic organizations, Scout troops, youthful athletic teams, and community groups have also marched, in the parade over the years, with prizes awarded for the best parade floats. Each year we look forward the parade as a matter of civic pride, and hope to make it even more successful than previous years events.

Organizations interested in participating in the 2022 parade are asked to please read and agree to our standing parade policies and instructions before submitting your application.

To learn more about the brave Norwalk veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice, please visit norwalkctheroes.org.

Until World War II occurred, what is now known as World War I was called The Great War. It ended when an armistice was signed on November 11, 1918. Thereafter, this date was honored by commemoration of a national holiday, Armistice Day, and a great tradition was that there would be a moment of silence at 11 o’clock on the 11^th day of the 11^th month. In the 1950s, the holiday became Veterans Day and it has been known by that name since as a means of honoring all veterans of all wars and conflicts.

To learn more about the brave Norwalk veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice, please visit norwalkctheroes.org.