GIVING THANKS TO OUR VETS:
and Remembering Their Sacrifices
One hundred years ago, World War I erupted. An armistice was agreed to November 11, 1918, and we have honored all veterans on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month every year since.

 

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One hundred years ago, World War I erupted. An armistice was agreed to November 11, 1918, and we have honored all veterans on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month every year since.

Soldiers who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam were seated near the podium, along with local and state officials at Rye’s annual ceremonies on the Village Green. Grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren sat and stood quietly and bowed their heads in prayer and respect.

In his invocation, Father Joe Lim asked everyone to pray, especially for wounded veterans.

Mayor Joe Sack, in his welcoming remarks, expressed gratitude to veterans for “protecting our lives, liberty, and way of life” on behalf of the entire City. “I have no idea what it is to take up arms, put myself in harm’s way, to risk my life, but I can raise my voice on behalf of others to give eternal thanks for this service, as the beneficiary of this service.”  

The Mayor said that he is drawn to books and memoirs by military veterans and, especially of late those about modern-day conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, which “have found their way onto my bookshelves and into my consciousness.” He referenced “The Long Walk” by Brian Castner and “Dust to Dust” by Benjamin Busch, both memoirs of combat duty in Iraq. He mentioned “Redeployment” by Phil Klay, which “conveys the truth of battle and its aftermath in gripping and unvarnished ways.”

State Senator George Latimer’s connection to American Legion Post 128 is a long and loving one. His late mother-in-law, Alice Phelps, was a member; his wife, Robin, is a mainstay of the Auxiliary.

 

He spoke about shared experiences among groups of young men, starting with his 1966 PAL Championship baseball team. “My friends and I talk about that game at Brush Park to this day.” He added, “You see more examples of male bonding in fire departments, but the most intense male bonding that exists is in the armed services, where you rely on the person next to you.”

Veterans are citizens “who deserve benefits greater than the rest of us,” he averred. “Back them up, don’t just say the words.”

The morning’s principal speaker was Meg Caplan, director of VA Hudson Valley Health Care, which serves 30,000 veterans. Her focus was on enhanced access and greater resources for veterans.

 

She emphasized that the VA goal here and across the country is to “rebuild trust, improve service delivery, and create a blueprint for excellence, moving from a sick care to a health care organization.”

In closing Caplan said, “God bless our veterans.”

— Robin Jovanovich