The Annual Ceremony at the Shea-Magrath Memorial
John Magrath was Norwalk's first posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism while fighting in Italy with the 10th Mountain Division. it is remarkable that John was th lone member of that famed division, which fought so heroically throughout the Italian campaign, to be awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II.

Daniel Shea was a medic serving with the Americal Division in Vietnam and heearned the Medal of Honor by repeatedly risking his life to provide battlefield care to his comrades, ultimately giving his life as he sought to save theirs.

Both of these heroic sons of Norwalk were fine young men before entering the service, serving the community and being active in the Boy Scouts of America. John was an Eagle Scout and Daniel's love of the outdoors was regnized by the naming of Shea Island (visible from the Shea-Magrath Memorial) in his honor.
Colonel (ret.) Roger Donlon, first recipient of the Medal of Honor in Vietnam, 2007 guest speaker.

Brigadier General Mike Scapparotti, then Commandant of Cadets at West Point, 2006 guest speaker, with Norwalk Police Chief Harry Rilling and former Mayor of Norwalk Alex Knopp.
The next annual ceremony at the Shea-Magrath Memorial will take place on Sunday, May 23, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. The program will begin with a band concert by the Norwalk High School Wind Ensemble at 12 noon.

Following the band concert, the United States Coast Guard Silent Drill Team will perform. The public is invited to view this elite unit and advised to arrive early (parking and seating are first come, first served) and bring a lawn chair. [See video below for preview]

The ceremony gets underway at 1:00 p.m. with the presentation of massed colors. The first musical selection will be the National Anthem and, during the course of the program, the NHS Wind Ensemble will play a medley of service songs, the Navy Hymn, Taps and To The Colors.

Local clergy will present the invocation and benediction. Mayor Dick Moccia will speak briefly. Chairman Dan Caporale will be the Master of Ceremonies. A student guest speaker to represent all local cadets will be selected from the ranks of the JROTC detachment at Brien McMahon High School.

The guest speaker for this year's ceremony will be Cheryl Dupris, a retiring Army paratrooper who has served multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan in Special Operations.".

The ceremony not only honors Norwalk's two most heroic sons (Medal of Honor recepients Daniel Shea and John Magrath), but all 169 Norwalkers who paid the supreme sacrifices while serving their country from World War II until the present time.
Dan Murphy, Vietnam veteran and father of Medal of Honor recipient Michael Murphy (Navy Seal in Afghanistan, 2008 guest speaker, with NJROTC Cadet Bryce Barros.