Manchester Honors Those Who Gave The Ultimate Sacrifice

Approximately 100 residents attended today's ceremony at the Manchester Veterans Memorial to honor those who fought in the military forces of America.

Franz Kraintz, director of planning and zoning for the city of Manchester, officiated the short ceremony, which counted with veterans from all walks of life, ranks and branches of the military.

After the playing of the national anthem and the pledge of allegiance, Kraintz led the attendees in a minute of silence at 11 a.m. Kraintz said that this moment was significant because it was a very rare event for the date, time and year to have the same numbers, 11/11/11.

"This is a once in a life-time event," Kraintz said. "Let's take this special event as an opportunity to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice; those veterans who have given their lives to our country and our citizens."

Carl Brown, a Chesterfield resident and Marine Corps veteran, attended the event and led the city in reciting the pledge of allegiance. Brown said he thought the city had done a great job with the arranging of the ceremony and the veterans memorial park, which was first opened last year.

"I think the city did a heck of a job in putting this together," said Brown, who is commandant of the Marine Corps League in the area. "It shows their support toward our veterans in all the work they put into this beautiful setting."