Veterans should be celebrated throughout the year — not just on Veterans Day, the director of the Lymes’ Senior Center told a crowd of about 90 during a recent luncheon.

That’s why the Lymes’ Senior Center on Town Woods Road in Old Lyme held its fourth annual luncheon to honor veterans in October, a few weeks before Veterans Day.

A group of service members from the Navy and Coast Guard joined veterans from the Lyme-Old Lyme area, and beyond, at tables decorated with stars and stripes during the Oct. 19 luncheon.

“Today we are here to honor those of you who have sacrificed and served in our armed forces,” said Stephanie Lyon-Gould, the director of the senior center. “It is our pleasure to have the active duty members of the Navy and the Coast Guard here today, and it is because of the bravery of all of our veterans and our active duty members that we remain the land of the free, and for this we owe you a gratitude.”

Sue Campbell, the president of the Lymes’ Senior Center Board of Directors, paused for a moment of silence for the veterans who have been lost and for “our young people who are in the service and in harm’s way.”

She thanked the attendees and said that if it weren’t for those who have served and those who are serving today “our lives would not be the way they are today.”

During the luncheon, veterans stood when they heard the song played on the piano for the branch of the military in which they served.

Representatives from the American Legion and the Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Fund gave brief presentations to the veterans about benefits.

Atria Crossroads Place prepared a meal of beef and butternut stew, turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, salad, and apple strudel.

Veterans from the Lyme-Old Lyme Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1467; American Legion Post 41; and Westbrook Honor Guard were among those in attendance.

At one table, Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jake Hoskins and Petty Officer 3rd Class John Lord laughed and swapped stories with Bob and Jean Corrao of Old Lyme and Roy and Dede Caprarola, who are seasonal residents of Lyme.

Hoskins and Lord told the veterans about their work building submarines and doing quality control, discussed football, and heard tips about how to survive their first New England winter.

Roy Caprarola, who was an aviation cadet in the Army Air Forces, said it was enlightening to speak to the young service members and hear about their assignments.

“To me, it is a privilege and it’s great to see young men in their uniform in service and feeling the way they feel about it,” said Bob Corrao, who was an airman first class in the Air Force. “It gives me great encouragement for this country to continue to be this country.”

Hoskins said the only people in his family who were in the military have passed away, so he doesn’t get a chance to swap stories with his family. He said it’s nice to talk with the veterans and learn about what they did.

At another table, Robert Maloney, an Old Lyme resident and retired commander from the U.S. Coast Guard, who was wearing a Coast Guard sweatshirt that said “Proud to Serve,” chatted with Lt. j.g. Rob Prevatt and Petty Officer 3rd Class Casey Zachry, a health service technician. They spoke about their experiences in the Coast Guard, past and present.

Zachry said he joined the veterans’ luncheon for the pleasure of speaking with men and women who have served before them and to learn new things.

“It’s definitely a good experience,” he said.

k.drelich@theday.com