I would like to thank the American Legion Post 144 for hosting their annual memorial service and parade which took place on Memorial Day.
This day set aside a day for our service men and women who have lost their lives in defense of our great nation. I would like to take this opportunity to repeat a portion of my speech given at Village Hall on Memorial Day.
“Good morning to all in attendance
I am honored to speak today on behalf of the village. Here with me are Deputy Mayor Kevin Rynne, Trustee Billy Carr, Trustee Bill O’Brien and Trustee Mike Uttaro. In attendance is former Mayor Doreen Ehrbar
First of all, I would like to thank Commander Frank Busa and all members of American Legion Post 144, including the Ladies Auxiliary, for once again, hosting this time-honored Memorial Day tradition.
While we recognize our veterans and active service members on Veterans Day today, Memorial Day we are gathered together to honor all those service members who have given their lives in the defense of the United States of America.
While driving in Pennsylvania yesterday I observed a highway sign which made a statement regarding service members which stated “All give it some, some give it all”
This short comment is self-explanatory.
I’d like to take this opportunity to read a partial state from Rob O’Neill, the Navy Seal who shot bin Laden:
Don’t wish me a happy Memorial Day.
There is nothing happy about the loss of the brave men and women of our armed forces who died in combat defending America. Memorial Day is not a celebration.
Memorial Day is a time for reflection, pause, remembrance and thanksgiving for patriots who gave up their own lives to protect the lives and freedom of us all – including the freedom of generations long gone and generations yet unborn.
We owe the fallen a debt so enormous that it can never be repaid.
Memorial Day is a time to honor the lives of those who would rather die than take a knee when our national anthem is played. But they will fight and die for the rights of those who kneel.
This holiday is a time to think of young lives cut short, of wives and husbands turned into widows and widowers, of children growing up without a father or mother, of parents burying their children.
Memorial Day is a time to think of might-have-beens that never were.
Of brave Americans who put their country before themselves. Without these heroes, America would not be America.
Unfortunately, for many Americans this solemn holiday might as well be called Summer Day – marking the unofficial start of the season of barbecues, days at the beach, time spent on baseball fields and golf courses, hiking and enjoying the great the outdoors.
All those things are great – we all appreciate them and they are some of the best things in life.
But Memorial Day is not Summer Day. Nor was the holiday created as a way to promote sales of cars, furniture or clothes.
Another Memorial Day brings with it a whole lot more than the start of summer. Since last Memorial Day, grass is now growing above the final resting places of many young men and women whose lives were taken too soon while defending our country in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and other far-off places many Americans have rarely heard of.”
I ask all to say a prayer for the fallen heroes and their families.
God bless all veterans, active servicemen and women and God Bless the United States of America”
I’d like to remind all residents and all others that the Roger Fay Williston Park Pool opens this Saturday, June 16. I encourage all looking to sign up no later than Sunday June 17 in order to enjoy the early bird special.
A hot summer is predicted and there is no better way to socialize with family, friends and neighbors that at the pool.
