The ceremony continued with an invocation recited by Pastor Leon Luciano, the facilities superintendent at NVCC, and segued to observations from guest speaker Command Sergeant Major Arlindo “Al” Almeida from the 99^th Regional Support Command Army Reserves. A highly decorated and awarded officer with three bronze stars, Command Sergeant Major Almeida spoke about what Veterans Day means to him. The November holiday evokes three things, he observed, primarily, that “it’s all about the friendship,” that “heroes are ordinary people with extraordinary qualities,” and that the holiday is for “families.” The 38-year veteran reminded attendees that soldiers aren’t the only ones who go to war, but that families also make incredible sacrifices as they go to war along with the soldiers they send out in the world. Following Almeida’s speech, Provost James Troup led attendees in a rendition of “America the Beautiful,” and Leo LaVallee, previously an interim Executive Director for the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, played “Taps,” during the wreath dedication ceremony.  According to Debbie DiCicco, Veterans’ Affairs Coordinator at the College, approximately 250 veterans currently attend NVCC and utilize the GI Bill, the CT State Veterans Tuition waiver, or the National Guard Tuition waiver.