For some, it was a day of remembrance. For others, a day of celebration. But for all those who attended the Village of Cedarhurst’s annual Veteran’s Day commemoration, it became a time of unity, spanning across generations.
“It’s very important for us to remember, honor, and respect our veterans,” said Village of Cedarhurst Mayor Benjamin Weinstock. “Everything we have in this country is dependent on the sacrifice that our veterans have made.”
The crowd of local veterans, their families, local officials and patriotic supporters packed into Cedarhurst Village Hall at 11 a.m. on November 11th, a symbolic gesture to the holiday formerly known as Armistice Day.
After a reciting of the pledge of allegiance, and a rendition of the national anthem performed by the Lawrence High School Vocal Ensemble, local civic leaders celebrated those veterans in attendance with words of pride.
That includes Frank Santora, commander of the John J. Olivieri Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1582 in Inwood. Santora, who has led Veteran’s Day commemorations throughout the Five Towns in years past, celebrated those in attendance that took their country’s call.
“Veterans, today we walk proudly,” Santora said. “We walk proudly today because we answered our country’s call, and we did our job.”
A standing ovation occurred for the presence of 101-year-old Max Marcus, who served in the Navy during World War II as a petty officer, third class.
Marcus, of Woodmere, was also inducted into the New York State Senate’s Veterans Hall of Fame in 2020.
“To see a World War II veteran here, this is great,” Santora said. “These [WWII veterans], they dealt with unbelievable conditions. Yet, they persevered, and they did their job.”
New York State Assemblyman and Deputy Mayor of Cedarhurst Ari Brown spoke of a fellow World War II veteran that influenced both his life and the lives of many throughout his community, the late, former Cedarhurst Mayor Andrew J. Parise.
“One of the most important parts of my life was my experience here in Village Hall where I got to meet a very remarkable individual who we all love and cherish, Mayor Parise,” Brown said.
A Purple Heart recipient for his work in the Army, Parise fought across Central Europe, including in France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Brown recounted conversations when Parise spoke of his time liberating Buchenwald, a concentration camp in central Germany.
“I got to sit with him and hear some of the most remarkable events of history,” Brown added.
No matter the generation, war, or tour, each veteran felt a calling to serve our country. For some, it came through giving back to the country that provided a new life.
“I came to live in this country when I was eight years old, and this country gave me freedom,” said Marianela Lizana Plaza, Commander of Lawrence-Cedarhurst American Legion Post 339. “Joining the Marine Corps was my way of fulfilling the obligation of citizenship, and it was my attempt to begin repaying the debt of gratitude I felt for the life I was given.”
All in all, it proved to be a celebration of unity and pride amongst our nation’s heroes.
“My fellow veterans, I am so proud to share this day with you,” Plaza said. “May God bless our veterans and the United States of America.”
