Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz on Monday honored nearly 90 World War II veterans from the former Soviet Union living in Connecticut during a Public Service Awards ceremony at the Greater HartfordMandell Jewish Community Center in West Hartford on May 11, 2009. “Though fighting under a different flag, these veterans were key allies of the United States during World War II, summoning the courage to defeat Nazi tyranny and advance the cause of freedom,” Bysiewicz said. “They endured great sacrifice and witnessed horrific atrocities, and did it without great fanfare – without seeking recognition or asking to be honored. Many were religiously persecuted in their home country after the war and sought refuge in the United States. Today we salute them as the greatest generation.