Freeport veterans commemorated for their service

The walls of the Our Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church in Freeport echoed tolling bells during the ninth annual Pre-Memorial Day Remembrance Service. Generations of veterans extending from World War I to local first responders gathered in church pews and sat in silence as the bell was struck to remember those veterans who died with honor in war. The sound of the bell prompted people to pause, take a note and listen. While some sniffled and shed melancholy tears for their loved ones, a sense of tranquility filled the room of approximately 40 leaders, fighters and friends of the deceased veterans honored.

The Vietnam War Veterans Association sponsored the ninth annual memorial service, on Saturday, May 20, dedicated to remembering the lives and sacrifices of those men and women who have “given their all.”

Deacon Bruce Burnham, a Veteran of Foreign Wars and clergyman of Our Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church, choked up before addressing his fellow veterans. During the service he defined the word “honor”, and carried the theme into his spiritual discourse throughout the afternoon.

“To honor someone is to appreciate the weight, significance, or burden of something he or she has done,” Burnham said. “It is to recognize that they are carrying this great burden well.”

In addition to defining honor, Burnham noted the inability to teach people how to “stash their emotions;” adding that no amount of power point slides or support groups can properly teach someone how to grieve. He heartened the veterans to encourage one another in efforts to understand the sacrifices made for their country.

“This, to me, is a very important part of what we do as veterans, calling the community to remember what a cost it is to pay for the freedoms that we enjoy,” said Burnham.

Toward the end of the program, Burnham introduced the guest speaker; a highly decorated retired Captain, NYPD Joseph Concannon. Concannon, who had a distinguished 25-year law enforcement career with the NYPD, also served in the U.S. Air Force as an Airman and was honorably discharged. During his speech, he extended his appreciation for those who have served in the nation’s armed forces and acknowledged the students who attended the ceremony from the Freeport High School Navy Junior ROTC class led by Maj. Donald R. Moore, Jr. Looking at the students, he said, “It is enlightening to see a new generation of students devoted to serving the country.”

“You are future leaders, and you are being charged to lead this country under preparation as it begins right now,” he added. “They need you to perform, as Deacon [Burnham] said, ‘in the honor of our country.”

Lt. j.g. Alyna Golde of the Freeport High School Navy JROTC program has been singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and other patriotic tunes at the church’s annual remembrance services for three years. Golde sang “America the Beautiful” as the flags left the church and the veterans stood at attention in the pews.

“I sometimes feel emotional singing before such honorable men and women. I [feel] like it was where I was supposed to be,” Golde said.

At the close of the ceremony, attendees and veterans mingled to chat and continue their personal discussions on the wars and the importance of remembering their service to the U.S.

“This is what we [veterans] have to do,” Burnham said. “We must remind them [members of our community] that so many of us paid a great price and we need to show the honor and respect this day is due. It’s not just any holiday,” the Deacon said, teary eyed.

Nadya Nataly contributed to this story.