Merricks pay homage to veterans

The Merricks marked Veterans Day on Friday with a solemn ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in North Merrick, with Boy Scouts and members of Merrick American Legion Post. No. 1282 attending to pay homage to the men and women of America's armed forces.

American Legion Commander Edward Sholander delivered his remarks to the crowd, while past commander Vincent Gabriele led the ceremony. Post member Walter Ellensohn, who developed the memorial park, rang a silver bell 11 times at the 11th hour in recognition of veterans’ sacrifices.

Nassau County Legislator David Denenberg and State Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr., both Merrick residents, and Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Angie Cullin of Freeport attended the ceremony to offer their thanks to veterans.

Veterans Day was first celebrated as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919, as a way to remember the end of Word War I. (Hostilities in what was then the world's largest armed conflict ceased on Nov. 11, 1918, at 11 a.m.) President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day. In 1953, the celebration was renamed Veterans Day to recognize the sacrifices of all members of U.S. armed forces.