As part of its Memorial Day commemorations, the Town of East Haven took time to honor the Harry R. Bartlett American Legion Post 89, which is celebrating 100 years, and 2022 Veteran of the Year Ed Jackowicz. The event was attended by Governor Ned Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, and U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro.

Post 89’s 100-year history is all the more remarkable given that the American Legion didn’t exist until 1919. In 2022, the organization remains active in the community, helping to organize the Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day ceremonies as well as the recent Wreaths Across America participation. The post is located at 574 Thompson Avenue and holds meetings on the first and third Thursday of the month. Call 203-469-2204 for more information.

Jackowicz, a December 2021 Person of the Week, is a Navy veteran and member of both Post 89 and Vietnam Veterans of America 484. In addition to receiving honors from Mayor Joe Carfora, Jackowicz also delivered a short speech, shared here by event coordinator Susan Stacey;

Memorial Day 2022

Reflections by Ed Jackowicz, Jr., Honor Veteran of the Year

I would like to thank the Veteran’s Council for selecting me as Veteran of The Year. It is not all about me; it is about the men and woman who made the ultimate sacrifice in all the wars; that is what Memorial Day is all about.

When I went to New Haven to join the Navy in 1964, I was 17. They said they didn’t need me at that time, and it would be months. Six days later they called me and said I could come in tomorrow, and I did. The next day my Mom and Dad took me to the train station to go to the induction center in New York City. From there I flew to the Great Lakes Training Center for eight weeks of basic training.

I was then off to Brunswick Maine Naval Air Base. I started working in the galley (kitchen). I took up cooking, and I liked it. I then went on sea duty to Panama City Florida on the USS Vigor Ocean Mine Sweeper. The ship was made out of wood, 172 feet long, powered by 4 Packard engines, and manned by 70 sailors. We did not go to war, but were always training for attack.

If I was working in the galley and the siren went off, I would have to drop everything to go to General Quarters (our battle station). My station was to man the only gun on the ship, a .40 mm mounted on the prow. I was a cook and the gunner.

The USS Vigor did a Mediterranean cruise; it took us 21 days at 7-8 knots (about 9 miles per hour) from Panama City to Naples, Italy.

My second ship was the USS Ozark MCS-2 out of Charleston, South Carolina, also a mine warfare vessel. It was 481 feet long and manned by 864 sailors. It was completed by two helicopters and mine laying equipment.

I was released from the Navy in 1968 when my enlistment was up. My father, a member of the Harry R. Bartlett American Legion Post 89, secured my Post membership. I was only 20 years old. It was weird because the World War I guys were in their 70s. I said to myself, look at all these old guys. Now I am that age!

My father was a World War II veteran. He ran the Memorial Day Parade in East Haven for 27 years when it was a full parade. My father died on this gazebo on Memorial Day 1998. On the west side of the gazebo is a plaque honoring him.

The American Legion Post 89 was named to honor Harry R. Bartlett, the first soldier killed from East Haven in World War I on April 27, 1918 in France. Back then the government did not bring back the bodies, but his family had the means to do so. Harry is buried in East Lawn Cemetery.

I also enjoy volunteering with Wreaths Across America. I plan to do so again this year as a community service. It is an honor to represent the Harry R. Bartlett American Legion Post 89 on its 100th year anniversary. I would encourage all eligible veterans to join and take part in our next 100 years.