Two days before the actual Veterans Day, nearly 100 people came to the Barry & Florence JCC in Oceanside to honor all the military veterans.
“Today is a wonderful day for all veterans, today we are celebrating Veterans Day, even though it’s the 11th,” Leonard Levine, chaplin of Jewish War Veterans and Korean War veterans, said at the Nov. 9 event.
Veterans Day originally was known as Armistice Day and marked the end of World War I, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. It was rechristened Veterans Day by an act of Congress in 1954.
“We have some wonderful people here, we have Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion and many senators and other veterans,” Levine said.
The tributes were heartfelt, patriotic and full of gratitude for what these men and women did during their military service.
They (veterans) loved our country, they put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms that we hold dear,” Rep. Laura Gillen said. “I think it’s incumbent upon all of us to recognize their service and to honor them.”
Gillen commemorated part of her speech to Levine, handing him a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, for his military service and post-service work.
“Long Island is the home to one of the largest veteran populations,” Gillen said. “It’s really important that we always honor, serve and help the people who served our country.”
Town of Hempstead Laura Ryder also gave a Certificate of Recognition to the Oceanside Jewish War Veterans.
Attendance at the JCC’s Veterans Day event was personal for Judy Perlman.
“My husband was a veteran for many, many years,” she said, “I just feel that I want to come and support the Jewish war veterans.”
Amanda Dekel, who also attended the event said: “My family and I loved participating and supporting the community.”
From the reciting of the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the singing by children of “God Bless America” a patriotic spirit enveloped the event.
“I never take for granted what veterans have done,” said State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzapatrick. “It’s our duty to support and aid in everything they need.”
Highlighting critical resources such as Northwell’s initiative to help veterans with housing, finding employment and a few others, she added: “There are so many things to help veterans. People care about you.”
Veterans of Foreign War Commander Martin Scott, being an active duty member for 41 years, highlighted the crisis the organization and other veterans face today.
“Here at VFW right now, our numbers are dwindling because the warriors are dying off,” Scott said. The young people from Afghanistan and Iraq who served are in crisis right now.
They’re committing suicide daily. That’s a big problem.”
Underscoring the problems Scott spotlighted, staff from Samaritan Daytop Village, a nonprofit organization that specializes in services that aid war veterans. The group has a location in Suffolk County and across New York City and the Hudson Valley.
“I just want to say about the Jewish war vets, “I love you guys,” Beverly Houston, a social worker at Samaritan Daytop Village, said.
The traditional and solemn “Taps” was played to signal the event’s conclusion.
“God bless the veterans as they gave up their lives, so we can live ours,” Levine said
