Groton — For some, Veterans Day is another day off.

"A day to hit the malls and get to the sales or another day to make a long weekend," said Connecticut's Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Sean Connolly. "But for others, for all of those like you, it's become our opportunity to honor and recognize Connecticut's veterans, in particular, for their selfless service, their sacrifice, their courage and devotion to duty, to defend our freedom and protect our right to be here this morning."

Connolly, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, spoke Friday to a crowd of mostly veterans and active duty service members as part of the U.S. Submarine Veterans Groton Base's annual Veterans Day commemoration at the World War II Submarine Memorial.

In giving the invocation, Subvets chaplain Jack Gallimore compared the War on Terror, the longest war in U.S. history, to the wars before it.

While modern medicine has meant fewer losses on the battlefield, there have been far more service members coming home "crippled," severely injured and "mentally challenged," Gallimore said.

The Subvets Color Guard — dressed in their signature navy blue vests and white gloves —broke from tradition a bit, pausing before parading the Prisoner of War flag and again before parading the World War II Submarine Veterans flag.

Color Guard Captain PW Louthain said that was done on purpose to emphasize the two, and underline that there are not many World War II veterans left.

Last year marked the 70th anniversary of World War II, and Connolly asked if there were any veterans of that war in the crowd.

There were at least two, including Ed Childs, a retired Navy senior chief and a lifetime member of the Subvets.

"We just did it," Childs said of the service of World War II veterans. In the early days, he said, members of the military were not recognized the way young men and women serving today are.

The public "got word," he said, describing the increasing awareness and recognition by members of the public toward veterans.

Last year marked 65 years since the beginning of the Korean War and the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Earlier this year was the 25th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm. And just a few months ago, the country commemorated the 15th anniversary of 9/11, which led to Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

There are more than 200,000 veterans living in Connecticut, with many concentrated in southeastern Connecticut.

Connolly pointed to the services for veterans in Connecticut such as programs to address homelessness, to help with labor and employment, social needs, housing and education. He mentioned the department's effort to help veterans who want to start or expand a small business.

"But we still have work to do," he said.

Following Connolly's remarks, Master Chief Jesse Cook with the Naval Submarine School recited the traditional "tolling of the boats," recognizing the submarines and crewmembers lost over the years.

As he did so, Jeff Walsh, commander of Subvets, and Subvets member Bob Dulin, saluted the flags representing each of the submarines lost.

The sub school received a standing ovation at the close of the ceremony for their continued support of Subvets. The Freedom Riders, the Green Knights, the Silent Service Motorcycle Club, and Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops from Lebanon were also recognized for their support and attendance.

j.bergman@theday.com