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Mostly Cloudy Veterans honored, applauded in Valley Stream
It takes a special kind of person who is willing to put their life on the line and travel across the globe, leaving their friends and family for months or even years at a time to defend the freedoms that hundreds of millions of Americans enjoy every day.
When a man or women returns home from serving their country they’re called a “hero,” but another title comes with it as well: “veteran.”
To commemorate Veterans Day, the Village of Valley Stream hosted a ceremony on Monday in Hendrickson Park to honor those who served. Veterans from conflicts dating back to World War II were in attendance as Mayor Ed Fare asked them each to stand so that the more than 100 people in attendance could applaud their sacrifice.
“There is no adequate way to truly thank our servicemen and servicewomen,” Fare said. “It is because of their great sacrifice that we can enjoy the splendor of a free society, speaking freely at gatherings such as this, and knowing that our potential as Americans is boundless.”
Jack Sharkey, a veteran and former village board member, led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. He asked those in attendance to listen to the words in the Pledge, and not just say them.
Valley Stream American Legion Post 854 Commander John Faust, who joined the service when he was 17, said he and many others like him decided to enlist because they love their country, their family and the men and women alongside them. “All veterans were willing to sacrifice [their] lives,” he said, “and many did, for what we believe is right and for the best country in the world.”
Although there are many different positions in each of the five branches of the military, from cooks in the kitchen to soldiers on the front line, Faust said they all have one thing in common: sacrifice.
“Today you enjoy your freedoms,” Faust told the crowd. “I’ll enjoy my freedoms. And make no mistake about it, these men and women who are veterans here made that possible.”
Valley Stream Girl Scout, Boy Scout and Cub Scout units presented the nation’s colors and the SSMAC Cadenzas sang patriotic songs.
George Catalanotto, a U.S. Army veteran who served 13 months in Vietnam, said it was nice to have a ceremony dedicated to veterans and was pleased to see a large turnout from the community. [It’s] important to remember the sacrifices made,” he said. “Freedom doesn’t come cheap.”
The ceremony was the first of its kind in Valley Stream — a ceremony for veterans of Veterans Day — but Fare said it wouldn’t be the last. “I truly and sincerely and from the bottom of my heart hope it’s the first of an annual tradition that remains long after I’m not standing here anymore to recognize the veterans that serve the country,” he said.
Victor LaTorre, a veteran from the U.S. Army, concluded the ceremony by playing Taps.
Faust thanked everyone for showing their support and added: “If we had to do it all over again, we would.”
