Groton - The service and sacrifice of veterans will inspire the next generation of veterans, retired Rear Adm. Arnold Lotring told an audience gathered at the National Submarine Memorial Thursday morning.

Many of those in attendance served in the Submarine Force, several during World War II. To all the veterans, Lotring said, "thank you for your honor, thank you for your courage, and thank you for your commitment and selfless sacrifice."

"Thank you all for showing us the way and leaving a legacy we will always remember," he said.

A Norwich native, Lotring retired Nov. 1 after 32 years in the Navy. He was the keynote speaker for the annual Veterans Day Memorial Service organized by U.S. Submarine Veterans, Groton Base and the World War II Submarine Veterans, Thames River chapter.

Lotring also took the opportunity to recognize those who are currently in the military.

"They come forward to serve our great nation the same reason most of you did," he said. "They are all patriots. They all love their families, they all love their children and they all love their fellow soldiers, airmen, Marines and sailors. As we today remember and pay tribute to those great Americans, we remember the past and we look to the future."

Freedom, Lotring said, sometimes comes with an "unimaginable price."

"But our sons and our daughters continue to come forward," he said.

The ceremony included a tolling of the boats to recognize the loss of all U.S. submarines before, during and after World War II.

John Carcioppolo, commander of the Subvets Groton Base, said the ceremony honored all veterans "for their patriotism, love of country, willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good of this country."