The Great Neck Plaza Board of Trustees presided over a Veterans Day ceremony at the Atria Cutter Mill retirement community on Monday, recognizing service members before an audience that included veterans of the Korean, Vietnam and World War II.
“We are here today because we want to connect with you,” Village of Great Neck Plaza Mayor Jean Celender said. “You are the brave service members of our past and present. We are forever indebted to our veterans for your courage and brave service in defense of our nation, and for the freedoms that we all value.”
The ceremony began with the presentation of colors by members of the Great Neck Boy Scouts Troop 10, and was followed by the singing of the national anthem and the recitation of the pledge of allegiance.
Deputy Mayor Ted Rosen recognized the veterans sitting before him in the Atria’s community room and thanked them for their service.
“It is very important that we recognize all our veterans, and of your generation – the generation that lived through World War II we owe a real special gratitude to,” Rosen said. “Just imagine how different life would be for all of us today if you did not do what you did.”
Rosen then read out a list of Atria residents who had served in the United States’ military.
Rosen and trustees Gerry Schneiderman and Pam Marksheid read poems in dedication to the country’s veterans, before the Boy Scouts closed the ceremony with the retirement of the flag.
