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Mostly Cloudy Wantagh say ‘thank you’ to veterans
From the American Revolution to the War on Terror, the fight for freedom has never ended. Mark Greaker, commander of American Legion Post 1273 in Wantagh, reminded the roughly 100 guests in attendance about the people who have fought the good fight during the annual Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11.
“For those who have passed and those who are here now,,” he said, “we need to respect them and honor them for what they have done.”
Greaker, a veteran of the Gulf War, spoke about the history of the day, which is marked at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month. That is when hostilities ceased between the Allied Nations and Germany in 1918, ending World War I. When the clock struck 11 a.m. last week, Post 1273 Chaplain Jack Bergersen struck a bell 11 times.
Among those in attendance were Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, as well as the Miss Wantagh Court, representatives of numerous community organizations and, of course, veterans.
Stephen Vaiano, 14, a member of Venture Crew 130, has been coming to the ceremony since his days in the Cub Scouts. He said it is important to be there to honor all veterans. “It is because of them that we could be free here in this country,” he said.
Vaiano added that everyone should mark the day by displaying their flag, shaking the hand of a veteran and attending a local ceremony.
Julius Harris, 82, a Korean War veteran, is the newest member of Wantagh’s American Legion. He was encouraged to join by a neighbor, and attended last week’s ceremony. “I thought it was excellent,” he said of the program. “For the first time in a while, I felt very patriotic.”
The ceremony included a 21-gun salute, patriotic music by bagpipe player Rob Anderson, and the placing of 14 wreaths on behalf of numerous community groups.
State Senator-elect Michael Venditto noted that, as a child, he was always taught to say “thank you” to veterans. “I think it’s equally important to say ‘thank you’ for things our veterans are still doing for our community,” he said.
In Wantagh, Venditto pointed out that the American Legion helps veterans and the less fortunate through its various outreach programs. Greaker added that the post also promotes the concept of Americanism and encourages proper respect for the flag.
Assemblyman David McDonough reminded everyone not to forget about the men and women currently overseas. He said that the United States is nearly 240 years old because of people like them. “Those are the brave, and we are the free,” he said. “Don’t forget what benefits we enjoy because of their service, so we got to remember that every day.”
Hempstead Town Clerk Nasrin Ahmad, who moved to the United States 30 years ago and became a citizen five years after that, feels a debt of gratitude to the veterans for creating a land of opportunity for her. “This is the country,” she said, “the best country in the world.”
