Mystic — Medals, proclamations and scrapbooks filled with biographies and pictures of veterans adorn the Wall of Honor and an accompanying table inside Academy Point at Mystic. And now, the number of names on the wall plaque saluting residents who served has grown to 36.

The wall was first dedicated five years ago, and on Wednesday — the 74th anniversary of D-Day — the senior living community held a rededication ceremony. Residents, family members, elected officials and members of law enforcement gathered to honor the 12 veterans whose names most recently were added to the wall.

"I think it's great," Mary Logan said after the ceremony, noting, "There weren't many women." She was there in support of her sister, Gertrude "Bobo" Smith, who was a chief petty officer in the Navy Reserve.

The other Navy veterans honored on Wednesday were Harland "Bud" Cramer, Bill Jennings, Gordon Lange, Gene Norton, Bill Romanauskas, Ken Richard, Norbert Smyth and David Wright. The Army veterans honored were Dominick Dieni, William Pasqualini and Frank Wellersdieck.

"I'm proud to be a Vietnam veteran!" thundered Stonington First Selectman Rob Simmons, retired U.S. Army colonel.

He spoke of the time, two or three weeks into the Tet Offensive, when he received a brown envelope with 30 postcards. His mother wrote that she and his father didn't know if he was dead or alive, and asked Simmons to put one postcard in the mail every day.

"That's when I realized how important my family was to me," he said.

Stonington Selectwoman Kate Rotella commented of herself and others who haven't served, "We don't know everything you've gone through in combat, and you serve no matter what."

Also speaking were state Sen. Heather Somers and Groton Town Council member Rita Schmidt.

The event included posting of the colors from Silver Dolphins, a flag retirement ceremony, an invocation and benediction from VITAS Healthcare and the recitation of military creeds. Noank-Mystic Band performed the national anthem, branch songs and taps.

e.moser@theday.com