NORWICH - Braving chilly autumn weather, residents gathered Sunday at multiple events in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

First known as Armistice Day, now Veterans Day, the national holiday originated a century ago when the Great War concluded at the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1918.

With that in mind, it was promptly at 11 a.m. when American Legion Post 104 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2212 marked the centennial with an intimate, solemn service at Memorial Park in Taftville focusing on the sacrifices all American veterans have made over the past century.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, noted the enduring significance of World War I, and the lessons that must be remembered.

“The damage and harm that’s done to civilians unfortunately manifested itself during that conflict and it’s something that I think is important for us to not forget, as a world,” Courtney said. “We need to really focus on ways of reducing that risk.”

A larger event in the afternoon on Chelsea Parade also marked the 100th anniversary of women in the military and featured numerous speakers as well as six color guards led by the US Navy’s Silver Dolphins color guard. Speakers included Tony Petros, Ann Panteleakos, Army First Sgt. Dora Vasquez-Hellner, Steve Alligood, and US Coast Guard Vice Admiral Sandra Stosz. The event also featured songs by Marine veteran Tom Callinan.

Courtney also voiced optimism that the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East could continue to wind down in the near future.

“As a member of the Armed Services Committee, with a new majority, I think you’re going to see a very strong focus on the authorization of the use of force -- which is being used as a legal premise for the never-ending, widening scope of military involvement,” Courtney said. “And I think that, in particular, in Yemen where the civilian casualties are totally unacceptable, US support for some of those airstrikes is going to be a front-and-center focus of the new Congress.”

Sunday’s events coincided with the city's attempts to raise funds to restore a World War I howitzer that previously had been on display in Chelsea Parade.

“The wooden components rotted out, so those need to be replaced,” according to Norwich city historian Dale Plummer. “Some steel components have rusted out and also need to be replaced. It needs to have the remaining paint carefully removed and be repainted. And it preferably needs to be in a sheltered environment where it won’t be subject to the elements.”

Individuals who would like to contribute toward that fund are encouraged to write a check to the Norwich City Finance Department with a memo for “World War I Howitzer Restoration.” The current estimate of funds needed is $60,000.

Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom explained the howitzer serves as an important, public reminder for the dark realities of armed conflict.

“We had citizens from this city die because of that instrument,” Nystom said. “The horrors of war unfortunately continue, as we all see. World War I was supposed to be the War to End All Wars. We haven’t, even to this day, realized true peace. It is a tough, mindful, physical presence to have that here on these grounds with the monument for all those who served and died in that war, that war is something that we should avoid at every cost, and that we should all strive for peace.”

Veterans in attendance also voiced their belief that the spirit of Armistice Day should be to both honor those who have served and those who have fallen, and to also reflect on how to work toward a lasting peace.

“We’ve got to remember the past in order to do better in the future,” Korean War veteran Richard Hebert said. “The War to End All Wars hasn’t been done. We still got to keep working at it. It doesn’t mean we can’t keep ending some of these conflicts that we have.”