CONNECTICUT VETERANS BULLETIN

Information by Connecticut Veterans for Connecticut Veterans.

25 May 2026 0000hrs

On this Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, we pause as a nation—and as a Connecticut community—to remember those who never came home. While the day is often associated with the beginning of summer, its meaning is far deeper, rooted in sacrifice, service, and remembrance.

Memorial Day is not a celebration. It is a solemn obligation.

Originally known as Decoration Day, the observance began in the aftermath of the Civil War, when Americans across divided communities came together to honor the fallen by decorating their graves with flowers and flags. Since its official recognition as a federal holiday in 1971, Memorial Day has remained dedicated to one purpose: honoring the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to this nation.

Their sacrifice is the foundation of every freedom we enjoy.

A Day of Remembrance, Not Routine

Across Connecticut and the nation, Memorial Day is marked by ceremonies, flag placements, moments of silence, and gatherings at cemeteries and memorials. These acts are not symbolic—they are essential. They ensure that those who made the ultimate sacrifice are never reduced to names on stone, but remembered as individuals with families, stories, and futures left behind.

At 3:00 PM local time, Americans are encouraged to observe the National Moment of Remembrance—a simple but powerful pause to reflect on the cost of liberty.

Honoring Connecticut’s Fallen Heroes

From the battlefields of the Civil War to the mountains of Afghanistan, Connecticut has given sons and daughters in defense of freedom. Today, we remember not just history—but people.

We remember:

• The Civil War soldier who left behind a young family in Connecticut, never to return from Antietam.
• The underage World War I volunteer whose courage exceeded his years.
• The World War II infantryman whose remains came home decades after he was declared missing.
• The Korean War artilleryman lost in the frozen crucible of Chosin Reservoir.
• The Vietnam soldier whose name is etched into the black granite wall in Washington.
• The Marine from West Hartford who gave his life in Iraq at just 22 years old.
• The Army aviator who died leading a rescue mission in Afghanistan, placing others before himself until the very end.

These are not distant stories. They are Connecticut stories. They are our neighbors, our families, our legacy.

The Families Who Carry the Weight

Behind every fallen service member is a family whose lives were forever changed. Mothers and fathers who received the knock at the door. Spouses who carried on. Children who grew up knowing sacrifice in its most personal form.

Memorial Day belongs to them as much as it does to the fallen.

Their strength, resilience, and enduring love ensure that these heroes are never forgotten.

Carrying the Legacy Forward

Honoring the fallen is not confined to a single day. It is a responsibility carried forward through:

• Teaching future generations the true meaning of Memorial Day
• Supporting Gold Star families and veteran communities
• Visiting cemeteries and memorials throughout the year
• Speaking the names of those who served and sacrificed

Remembrance must be active. It must be intentional.

A Sacred Promise

As we gather with family and friends this Memorial Day, let us do so with awareness and purpose. Enjoy the freedoms secured by those who served—but never separate those freedoms from their cost.

We remember because we must.
We honor because we owe.
We carry forward because they cannot.

Connecticut’s Fallen Are Never Forgotten

The heroes remembered here represent thousands more—men and women from Connecticut whose sacrifices span generations. Their stories live on through remembrance, through honor, and through the enduring commitment of a grateful state and nation.

View CVB’s Gallery of Valor

Connecticut Veterans Bulletin is honored to present the Gallery of Valor—a living tribute dedicated to preserving the memory of Connecticut’s fallen heroes. Honor them not just today, but every day.

Memorial Day Tributes To Connecticut’s Fallen From the Civil War To Current.

We honor the courageous sacrifice of Private Henry Aldrich

On this Memorial Day, we honor the courageous sacrifice of Private Henry Aldrich, Co. K, who was born in Massachusetts around 1821. He married Sarah Peck on March 10, 1849, in Vernon, Connecticut. Enrolled on July 24, 1862, Henry, a blacksmith employed at the Bristol Brass and Clock Company, bravely mustered on August 24, 1862, only to meet his fate at Antietam, Maryland, on September 17, 1862.

First Lieutenant Julian Pomeroy, also from Bristol, conveyed the heart-wrenching news to Sarah Peck Aldrich, describing how Henry fell at his post during the devastating battle, where the noble 16th Regiment suffered greatly. “He was a good soldier, and all the company liked him,” wrote Lieutenant Pomeroy, highlighting Henry’s dedication and bravery. “He fought and fell like a brave man. None could do more.”

Today, we remember Private Henry Aldrich’s selfless service and ultimate sacrifice. His name is etched into the annals of history, and his memory lives on in the tranquil hills of Antietam National Cemetery, where he rests alongside comrades who also gave their all for a cause greater than themselves. As Lieutenant Pomeroy expressed, “His mortal remains will rest there as quietly as in New England.”

We honor the courageous sacrifice of John B. Healey

On this Memorial Day, we honor the courageous sacrifice of John B. Healey, who at the tender age of 14 enlisted in the 102nd Regiment and gave his life for his country during World War I. Despite his youth, his bravery stood tall, earning him the title of the youngest soldier in his regiment. His determination to serve, coupled with his “great size and robust appearance,” propelled him through physical exams and into the ranks of heroes. Healey’s story, alongside those of his comrades Harry R. Bartlett, Cortland V. Birdsell, William Corcoran, and John Liedke, reminds us of the profound impact of war on small communities like East Haven. As we gather around the monuments erected in their honor, let us also remember the families who entrusted their sons to the call of duty, and the sacrifices made for the freedoms we cherish today.

In Memory of Richard P. Caputo: A Hero Remembered

In the quiet corners of history, there are names etched with valor and sacrifice. One such name, Richard P. Caputo, echoes through time, a testament to courage and devotion. Born on April 25, 1948, in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, Richard’s journey was marked by a profound sense of duty and love for his country.

Richard’s story intertwines with the fabric of a nation torn by the winds of conflict. In 1968, amidst the tranquil backdrop of a family picnic, Richard stood at the threshold of a journey fraught with peril and purpose. Drafted into service the previous December, Richard had recently exchanged vows with his childhood sweetheart, Ann Gesauldi. As the specter of war loomed large, their gathering was tinged with a solemnity that belied the usual mirth of such occasions.

With a heavy heart but steadfast resolve, Richard embarked on his journey to Vietnam. His rank as a Private First Class and his specialization as an Armor Reconnaissance Specialist reflected his commitment to defend freedom’s cause. Deployed on July 11, 1968, Richard embraced his duty with unwavering courage.

Tragically, on September 22, 1968, in the province of Hua Nghia, South Vietnam, Richard’s life was cut short by the ravages of war. Amidst the chaos of battle, he fell victim to small arms fire, leaving behind a legacy etched in sacrifice and honor.

Richard P. Caputo’s memory endures, not merely as a name on a wall, but as a symbol of selflessness and bravery. His name graces Panel 43W-Row 061 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, a sacred testament to the price of freedom.

Beyond the confines of time and space, Richard’s spirit lives on, a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations to come. As we honor his memory, let us also remember the families who bore the weight of his loss, whose grief is as timeless as the valor he displayed.

Though decades have passed since Richard’s sacrifice, his legacy remains etched in the annals of history, a poignant reminder of the debt owed to those who gave their all for the sake of liberty. In the quietude of remembrance, we pay tribute to a son, a husband, a soldier—Richard P. Caputo—a hero forever enshrined in the hearts of a grateful nation.

Remembering Major Stephen C. Reich: A Memorial Day Tribute

In solemn remembrance, we honor the life and service of Major Stephen C. Reich, born May 22, 1971, and tragically taken from us on June 28, 2005, in Kunar province, Afghanistan, while courageously leading a mission to rescue a Navy SEAL team.

Hailing from Washington Depot, Connecticut, Major Reich dedicated himself to the defense of his country, serving four heroic tours of duty in Afghanistan. His final act of bravery occurred aboard a Chinook helicopter, where he and 15 fellow soldiers from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment valiantly faced enemy fire, sacrificing their lives in the line of duty.

A proud graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Major Reich was not only a standout pitcher for the Army baseball team but also a decorated soldier, earning accolades including the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Air Medal with Valor device.

Throughout his illustrious career, Major Reich exemplified the values of courage, integrity, and selflessness. His dedication to duty and unwavering commitment to his comrades-in-arms serve as a beacon of inspiration for all who follow in his footsteps.

As we pay tribute to Major Stephen C. Reich on this Memorial Day, let us also remember his beloved wife, Jill, and his devoted family, who continue to carry his legacy of service and sacrifice with grace and dignity.

May his memory be a blessing, and may we never forget the extraordinary sacrifice made by Major Reich and all those who have laid down their lives in defense of freedom.

The Connecticut Fallen Heroes remembered in this Memorial Day Tribute are only a few of many heroes lost in sacrifice for freedom. Please take the time to remember and honor all Fallen Heroes who these mentioned heroes represent.