Parade Plaza Vigil Recognizes Cullers, Other Veterans

A last year received special recognition Sunday as part of a pre-Memorial Day vigil held on .

Staff Sgt. Ari Cullers received a dedication from the city of New London and the organizers of Hope Week, a series of events culminating with the vigil. Cullers, 28, died on Oct. 30 after sustaining injuries from a rocket-propelled grenade while repairing a bulldozer in the Kandahar Province.

The dedication also recognized Cullers' family including Robin Cornele, his mother; Tim Forsyth, his stepfather and a retired Army National Guard sergeant; and Jacob Cullers, his brother and an Air Force veteran.

"We've had the distinct pleasure of having our young men come forward," said Waterford First Selectman Dan Steward. "We've also seen the other side of that."

Steward said Waterford has lost two soldiers in recent years. honored Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Edwin Rivera, another 28-year-old Waterford man who died on May 25, 2010, of injuries suffered in Afghanistan.

Cullers was born in New London and graduated from Waterford High School in 2001. He enlisted in the Army and joined the Headquarters Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the Army's 10th Mountain Division, based out of Fort Drum, N.Y. Cullers received a number of commendations for his service, including a posthumous Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

Local veterans' organizations presented Cullers' family with carnations. The service also included presentation and retirement of the colors by 's Navy Junior ROTC and performances by soloist Lisa Cornish Baez.