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Conversations and Coffee for Veterans Day in East Haven

EAST HAVEN

On Nov. 8, students at East Haven High School (EHHS) provided coffee and conversation to veterans through the school’s student-run café, The Hive, honoring those who served their country, in addition to the members of their families.

Students who are part of the EHHS culinary program and the National Honor Society prepared coffee and pastries for the veterans, creating a good environment to generate important conversations between students and veterans, according to culinary instructor Heather Profetto.

“I think these stories are disappearing from the landscape, so it's a nice way for students to connect to history, and then we bring the food element into it as part of that,” said Profetto.

This event marks the third year that the EHHS culinary program and the National Honor Society teamed up to honor veterans and their families. East Haven Mayor Joseph Carfora expressed tremendous gratitude for their service to the United States.

“These brave men and women are our nation’s heroes. We are proud of them and proud to honor them every chance we get,” he said.

Two of the veterans in attendance were Al Dagliere, a former member of the U.S. Army who served in state in Fairfield, as well as in Texas; and Jack Stacey, a former member of the U.S. Marine Corps who served in the Vietnam War. Speaking in regard to students, Dagliere said that conversations with veterans, including those about their experiences, are “something that they need to be made aware of. Dagliere feels that the students can use what they learn from those conversations in their day-to-day lives.

“Everything they can learn—even if they pick up a day here, a day here there, and they see the events and the people that were involved, that spent time away from their families, to protect the country, to serve—it's always a plus,” said Dagliere.

While East Haven has a high population of veterans, including those who served in Vietnam, it remains important to Dagliere and Stacey that the broader organization of local veterans, which includes clubs such as American Legion Post 89 and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 484, continues to grow while fostering fraternity and conversation about past experiences.

“I would love to see more veterans involved in our organization,” said Stacey.

For information on the American Legion chapter in East Haven, visit: americanlegionctpost89.com. The organization’s building is located at 574 Thompson Avenue. For information on the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 484, visit: vva.org/chapter/vva-chapter-484. The organization meets at 41 Hobson Street.