By JUDY RATTNER
Enjoying unseasonably warm temperatures, bright sunshine and brilliant blue skies, a large contingent of veterans, officers from different branches of the military and representatives from local police and fire departments were on hand for the ceremony which included a color guard, the laying of the wreaths and a gun salute. Students from the South Side Middle School band performed under the direction of music teacher Todd Shusterman and Dr. Brian Zuar, the director of music.
Speakers included army major Rudy Lunasin, of the Ft. Hamilton, N.Y. recruiting battalion and former Rockville Centre resident and retired police officer Dan Brandi, now of Oceanside, who is a veteran and the president of the Chosin Few. Andy Renzullo, a Pearl Harbor survivor, was honored at the ceremony. Rev. Steve King offered the invocation, Rev. Harold Kuehn offered the benediction.
Speakers thanked those who have put their lives on the line to defend this country's freedom and way of life, noting that the freedom Americans cherish comes at a price. These heroes, they said, are ordinary people who come forward and do extraordinary things. Speakers also referred to the men and women in the armed forces currently in harm's way, serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and other parts of the world. They were described as proud, determined and committed to duty just as those in previous generations have been.
In his remarks as guest speaker, Dr. William Johnson, superintendent of Rockville Centre schools, said that it is his responsibility as an educator to make sure we don't ever forget "The Day of Infamy," in 1941, when our forces at Pearl Harbor were attacked without provocation. He said this generation joins previous generations in commemorating the day. Johnson read excerpts from "The Chosin Few," a poem by Jesus Rubio, the uncle of a marine corps veteran of the conflict.
'The battle at the Chosin Reservoir
will be remembered near and far
of pain, of death, of glory too
of brave Marines, The Chosin Few...
Quick flashes of the battle
the cold wet ground, the snow, the mud
enemy hills on a blanket of white
and dark red splotches of human blood.
So many men fell there
forever they will sleep
the living will remember
in tribute bravery weep.
And now, a reunion of men
recalling their past
remembering old buddies
that fought to the last.
The last Gung ho! To one and all
no distinction of race or creed
you stand above the normal men
you are a different breed.'
Photos by Judy Rattner/Herald
