West Haven honors veterans with new Walk of Honor bricks, Vietnam Memorial names

West Haven honored veterans and their sacrifices during a dedication ceremony Wednesday that added new names to the city’s Vietnam Memorial and recognized dozens of service members with new bricks at the Walk of Honor.

The ceremony at Bradley Point paid tribute to men and women who served in conflicts ranging from World War II to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 3,000 veterans are honored with bricks at the waterfront site.

Among those remembered was Vietnam veteran Robin R. Reiss, whose family said he enlisted in the Marines in 1969 at just 18 years old.

His sister, Renee Bailey, said Reiss felt a duty to serve his country.

“I think too often we forget that there were vets that went willingly and then there were some like my brother because they felt like it was something they had to do for their country,” Bailey said.

Bailey said Reiss was badly injured during the Vietnam War and returned home carrying trauma from combat.

“It took years before he was well enough to have somewhat of a normal life,” Bailey said.

Reiss later married and had children before passing away last year on Christmas after years of health issues. His name was already included on the city’s Vietnam Memorial.

During the ceremony, eight additional names were added to the memorial.

“That was a tough, tough war. It wasn’t our war, but so many of these guys went over there and did what they do,” Bailey said.

The city also dedicated 50 new bricks at the Walk of Honor to recognize veterans for their military service.

“Thank you for your service, your sacrifices, and your enduring examples of citizenship,” West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer said.

Vietnam veteran William Marazzi, a lifelong West Haven resident, said the memorial means a great deal to the community.

“It does my heart good too to see people come out to respect and show the veterans who gave so much,” Marazzi said.

Marazzi, who has a brick honoring his Army service and two Purple Hearts, said the recognition at Bradley Point is meaningful.

“This is our stomping ground from growing up, but what they did with this area for veterans is a great thing,” Marazzi said.

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