46.0°,
Light Drizzle Remembering veterans in Inwood
PFC. John J. Oliveri VFW Post 1582 hosts annual ceremony
Nine members of the PFC John J. Oliveri VFW Post 1582 and their families gathered outside the Doughty Boulevard headquarters in front of their memorial on Wednesday for a brief and solemn ceremony, honoring veterans and their service.
Veterans Day is a public holiday that is dedicated to honoring anyone who has served in the United States military. The holiday began as a day to remember the end of World War I and was declared a holiday by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919. Originally known as Armistice Day, the holiday became Veterans Day in 1954.
It was during President Dwight D. Eisenhower's administration when the legislation was amended and changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. Eisenhower commanded the Allied forces during World War II.
At the memorial, Post Commander Ron Sorrentino greeted those who attended and offered a prayer of thanks to his fellow service members.
"Your presence here today demonstrates your acknowledgement and gratitude for the generations of military men and women that have served to ensure freedom can endure," he said. "It is our veterans that have protected American values and ideals. It is our veterans who possess quiet, resilient strength of character and faultless loyalty, honor and strength-- traits learned and carried whle performing their duties as soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guardsman."
After the ceremony, Post members and their families gathered inside for coffee and refreshments.
Veteran John Santora, who served in the Navy, recalled his service years with pride. "I served in World War II, and my son Frank served in Vietnam," he said. "I was made a [post] commander in 1959, and my son will be in 2016. We are the only father-son commanders here at the Post in about 70 years. I went to serve in the war to stop all wars."
Santora's great-granddaughter Sara Pearsall of Franklin Square attended the ceremony with her family. "We come here because my grandpa and great-grandpa served, and to honor them," she said. "We also want to celebrate their service and remember those who lost their lives, to show them all our respect."
