By JUDY RATTNER
That is the time we now officially set aside to thank and recognize those who serve and have served in our armed forces. Reflections on the combination of war, the sacrifice, loss, courage and dedication of our veterans, as well as the hope for peace, are sentiments that marked this year¹s Veterans Day commemoration Sunday morning in the Recreation Center¹s auditorium.
Soldiers from World War II, including two D-Day survivors, Charles Cino and Lester Wilensky, and others who fought in the Korean, Vietnam and Afghanistan wars were either part of the ceremony, hosted by American Legion Post 303, or in the audience. Members of the Rockville Centre Fire Department made up the color guard, and members of the village Police Department lined the side of the room, with Fire Department Chief Michael Lapkowski and Police Commissioner Jack McKeon looking on.
³There aren¹t enough words to thank you,² said Rockville Centre Mayor Mary Bossart, describing herself as the granddaughter, daughter, wife and aunt of members of the armed forces. In her remarks, Bossart noted the courage that is at the bottom of what our veterans do, and how that courage protects our freedom. Village Trustees Chuck Joyce, Dave Krasula and Jeanne Mulry attended, as did former Mayor Gene Murray and Nassau County Legislator Joseph Scannell. Members of the American Legion Women¹s Auxiliary were on hand for the commemoration, as was a Gold Star mother, Marianna Winchester, who lost her 25-year-old son, Ronnie, in 2004 to an IED attack while he was on foot patrol in Iraq.
In his invocation, the Rev. Harold Kuehne spoke of the ennobling light of sacrifice for civilization and the better world for us and those yet unborn that our veterans represent. His prayer called for us to thank them for the victories granted to us and to others who have united with us to stamp out the evils of aggression, intolerance and greed.
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Photos by Ira Lewis/Herald
