Gratitude filled Witherell Hall at the YMCA of Greenwich as the community came together for its annual Veterans Day Breakfast on Friday, November 7. The event featured remarks from the Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA of Greenwich, Matthew Skaarup; Lieutenant Commander Steven C. Hall, U.S. Naval Reserve; and U.S. Representative for Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District, Congressman Jim Himes.
Attendees enjoyed pancakes, light bites, freshly brewed coffee, and a display of stylized American flag artwork by Bob Mann. The YMCA of Greenwich honors all veterans, active duty service members, and their families for exemplifying what it means to serve a cause that is greater than any individual.
“I grew up with a great deal of respect for the armed forces,” said Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA of Greenwich, Matthew Skaarup, in his opening address. “What I took from my grandfather’s experience was the importance of community and connection among veterans.”
The YMCA of Greenwich supports local veterans, active-duty service members, and their families with a membership discount of 15%, a waived joiner’s fee, mental health counseling through a partnership with Jewish Family Services of Greenwich, and spaces for community and connection through free events held throughout the year.
Lieutenant Commander Steven C. Hall of the U.S. Naval Reserve was invited by the YMCA of Greenwich to speak about the impact of service on the military and the local community. A longtime member and decorated veteran, Hall offered an inspiring perspective on what it means to serve.
Hall is a Princeton University graduate and a former U.S. Navy aviator commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) program in 1966. He earned his wings in 1968 and served with Air Anti-Submarine Squadron VS-35, flying the Grumman S2E Tracker on missions from the USS Hornet during the Vietnam War. He received the Air Medal for Combat Service and later led a Mobile Training Team in South Korea, earning commendations from both the U.S. and the Republic of Korea.
Over his naval career, Hall logged 2,200 flight hours and 175 carrier landings. He continued serving in the Naval Reserve while pursuing a civilian career in San Francisco and has lived in Greenwich, Connecticut, since 1998.
“We will never forget the sacrifices that all of you have made,” said Congressman Jim Himes in his address. “We will continue to stand proud in remembrance of your service.”
Attendees also enjoyed a display of artwork by Bob Mann. Mann, a self-taught painter from Greenwich, has been featured in exhibitions throughout New York and Connecticut and has won numerous awards. A member of the YMCA of Greenwich, Mann’s featured collection includes recent modernist and expressive works, featuring stylized American flags and local urban landscapes.
The YMCA’s connection to service members extends well beyond the annual Veterans Day Breakfast event. Its tradition of supporting America’s Armed Forces dates back to 1861, during the Civil War, when volunteers offered relief to sick and wounded soldiers. This effort quickly grew into a nationwide volunteer movement, becoming the first large-scale civilian service corps in the United States.
By 1889, the YMCA opened its first permanent Army center at Fort Monroe in Virginia. In 1902, Congress authorized the construction of 31 YMCA facilities on military installations across the country, providing essential support to service members and their families. Today, the Armed Services YMCA serves military families at 95 installations across all branches of service, reflecting the YMCA’s enduring commitment to strengthening communities and honoring those who serve the nation.
