Inwood VFW Post 1582 marks Veterans Day

The amount of people, especially military veterans, appears smaller each year, however the sentiments expressed by Frank Santora, commander of the John J. Olivieri Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1582 of Inwood, were those of many.

“We veterans cannot forget, we left loved ones at airports, at ship piers, we traveled to distant lands, we left comrades behind, we have memories we wish we can forget, but we cannot,” Santora said, as he, other post members and some family and friends stood at the veterans memorial at the intersection of Mott Avenue and Doughty Boulevard on Nov. 11, Veterans Day.

“We have answered the call and we did the job,” he said with emphasis. “Today, because of our service and the continuing service of the best America has to offer, our young men and women in uniform all over this globe, we live in a free America. You know, we took an oath those many years ago to defend America and its Constitution, lets continue to be true to this oath, comrades of the VFW and all veterans. Walk tall today and always remember.”

Veterans Day is commemorated at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, and originally as Armistice Day marked the end of World War I. A group of veterans organization pushed for the name change to Veterans Day in 1954.

Among the VFW members at the ceremony along with Santora were Miguel Martinez, a senior vice commander; Sal Scotto, a junior vice commander; post Chaplain Gerald Killane, Ron Sorrentino, a past county commander and a national aide de camp; Luke Magliaro, chief of staff for the state Department of New York VFW; and post Trustee Barry DeGroot.