Maple Hill Honors Veterans With Annual Ceremony

Children sat shoulder-to-shoulder in the Maple Hill Elementary School gymnasium Friday and watched in awe as Mayor Bob Mezzo discussed with them the sacrifices of veterans living in Naugatuck and around the world.

Flanked to Mezzo's left was Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Roger Rua, a Naugatuck resident who received the Purple Heart last year after being seriously injured from an improvised explosive device exploded under the vehicle he was riding in. Rua suffered serious injuries to his neck, back and right leg and spent many months in hospitals and physical therapy to recover.

"We're fortunate enough to have a brave young man like Cpl. Rua here, who set his life on hold to protect us and got injured in the process," Mezzo said (see video). 

Maple Hill holds Veterans Day ceremonies every year and invites local dignitaries and area veterans to participate. Children sing patriotic songs and learn about why we celebrate Veterans Day.