RVC community comes together for Veterans Day

High levels of appreciation and gratitude were felt at the Rockville Centre Recreation Center on Veterans Day as dozens of citizens and community representatives gathered to honor and thank those who fought to protect our freedom and way of life.

The ceremony was led by American Legion Post 303 commander Frank Colon Jr. and former head Joe Scarola and attended by Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray, former mayor Eugene Murray, Trustee Ed Oppenheimer, State Senator Todd Kaminsky, members of the Rockville Centre police and fire departments, and Cub Scout Pack 31.

Colon joined the U.S. Army in 1972 and is an active member of many veterans’ organizations, including the Vietnam War Veterans Association of Nassau County. He is a lifetime member in the Association of the U.S. Army, a former commander of the Nassau County American Legion and the president of the Long Island National Cemetery Military Organization.

While Colon remembered the legacy of veterans who served our country, he also raised awareness for those who have led less fortunate lives since leaving the military and urged politicians to help give them a voice. He noted that an estimated 50,000 homeless veterans remain unidentified in the community and 38 veterans a day are committing suicide.

“We should insist that our elected officials produce meaningful laws and policies that will enhance the qualify of life for veterans and their families, because what these men and women have done for us matters to the United States of America,” he said.

Scarola served in the Navy during the Vietnam War.

“You look back on your life and you say, ‘What have you done to make this a better world?’ ‘What have you contributed?’” he said. “I look back on it and I say, ‘I did my part to keep us all safe.’”

Scarola also used the day to remember his best friend, Bernard Rupinski, who was killed in Vietnam at age 24.

“That’s been bothering me for the last 50 years,” he said. “I come home, I married a wonderful woman (for 50 years), four children, nine grandchildren and Bernie had none of that. I was able to experience living in Rockville Centre, and Bernie didn’t have any of that and that’s the loss I feel.”

During his speech, Mayor Murray remembered his cousin Arthur, who was shot down while flying in Vietnam, before praising all of the veterans for their service.

“Thank you all for what you have done, thank you for being here today, God bless all the veterans, God bless all of you, and God bless the United States of America,” he said.

Kaminsky said he was privileged to live in a country where people can express their views or differences without government repercussion, compared to other places in the world.

“That’s only true for one reason, because men put on the uniform and have fought for that right and laid everything on the line so that we could have the greatest country on Earth,” he said before leading the cub pack in saying a loud thank you.

When the Armistice ending World War I was signed in 1918, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, bells of joy rang worldwide to signify peace. When 11 o’clock arrived during the ceremony, Scarola rang a bell to represent that time in history.

To conclude the ceremony, the crowd sang “God Bless America” before all of the flag bearers exited the room down the center aisle.

Over the years, Colon and Scarola both said they noticed a greater appreciation from people towards veterans, especially for those who served in the highly-unpopular Vietnam War. World War II veterans came home to a hero’s welcome, but those who served in Vietnam were met with scorn and disdain upon their returns.

“Now if I wear my Navy hat, strangers will come up to me and say, ‘Thank you,’” said Scarola. “I appreciate that very much.”