Thursday, October 1, 2026
“What is a veteran?” Ken Kelly asked a crowd of more than 100 people gathered at the Wantagh American Legion hall last week.
A veteran, the commander of Post 1273 continued, is someone who “at some point in his life wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America, for an amount of up to and including his life.”
Kelly presided over the Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11, which featured members of the American Legion, elected officials, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, and community leaders. He spoke of what the post does for veterans, such as its recent $1,000 donation to the Track Chair program, which provides all-terrain chairs for injured veterans returning home from combat.
He said he was pleased with the turnout, particularly from the local Scouting units. With the day off from school, Scouts of all ages were on hand to pay tribute to not only Wantagh’s veterans, but all who have served the United States in armed forces.
“The day is set aside to honor living veterans who served honorably in the military in war time or peace time,” Kelly said. “Let us remember that they gave up a portion of their lives to keep us safe and to keep America strong, and that some of them have made the ultimate sacrifice.”
The scouts were active participants in the ceremony. Connor and John Sommers, led the Pledge of Allegiance while Gabriel Anderson read a note he sent to Kelly expressing his appreciation to veterans. James Seaman played taps near the end of the program.
“The veterans have given so much to us, and we need to show our appreciation,” said Bryan Palazzolo, 17, a Boy Scout with Troop 96. He said that in addition to participating in the ceremony every year, he always calls his grandfather on Veterans Day to thank him for his service.
Palazzolo added that because the Scouts are a service group, they have an obligation to take part in the ceremony. “We represent the freedoms and ideals that our veterans fight for,” he said.
Several members of the American Legion sat around a table in the back of the room, including World War II veterans Joe Stein and Russ Bastin. Stein, who was stationed in Italy, comes to the ceremony every year because veterans are significant figures in American history.
