Gov. Dannel Malloy joins Mayor Michael Pavia, state legislators and others in remembering Chief Navy Petty Officer Brian Bill at a morning ceremony held Wednesday in the lobby of Government Center.

Also attending the event were Bill’s parents, Patricia and Michael Parry, who were presented with a proclamation declaring August 6 as “Brian Bill Day.”

During the ceremony, attendees were treated with a tribute video featuring narration by Mayor Pavia, who enumerated Bill’s talents and accomplishments which include fluency in French and Russian, playing guitar and piano, and earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

“Look how an ordinary youngster from Stamford became such an astonishing adult,” Pavia said. “Look at your fellow Stamfordite and be proud.”

Wednesday’s ceremony also marks the official launch of the Brian Bill Memorial Fund which aims to raise $350,000 to build a bronze-and-granite memorial statue that will honor Bill and other military personnel who fought for the country.

Gov. Malloy had likewise announced plans to construct a memorial honoring Connecticut’s estimated 1.3 million veterans who served in the military.

“We have Vietnam War memorials, and our World War II memorials, but it is time for a memorial specifically for the veterans of the war on terror,” said Patrick Sasser, the fund’s chairman, who attended Trinity Catholic High School with Bill.

Officials said that the planned memorial would help the residents remember Bill and the other veterans who have sacrificed during the lengthy conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.