Members of the American Legion Quentin Roosevelt Post 4 and VFW Post 8033 came together on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., to pay tribute to the nation’s veterans. A small group gathered outside of Town Hall in Oyster Bay, by the war monuments, as American Legion Commander Reginald Butt led the ceremony.
“It was on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour that the guns of World War I cease fired and silence then covered the earth,” said Butt. “It was at 11 that a delirium of joy and thanksgiving swept over humanity. It was at 11 that the last man had died in battle. It was then that the soul of American Legion was born. It was then that our obligation to our country and to her honored dead was conceived.”
He requested a moment of silence, saying: “Let us now renew our pledge that these dead shall not have died in vain and the maimed, the widowed and the orphaned should receive whatever comfort and recompense whatever the grateful nation can bestow.”
He said that Veterans Day is a day to commemorate the services of veterans of all wars; “we remember how men and women set aside their civilian pursuit to serve our nation.”
The commander spoke about the importance of remembering the sacrifices others have made and continue to make in order to achieve world peace.
“In time of peace we can use the ennobling virtues of war and put behind us its ugliness and suffering. In peace, we shall go forward together and scale new heights of achievement in unity of purpose,” said Butt.
The VFW Chaplain Binky Baron offered a prayer and Butt then gave some background on the history of the holiday, which has been an official legal holiday since 1975, when it returned to the original date of Nov. 11 after some years of being celebrated on a Monday.
“Veterans Day continues to honor American veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good,” said Butt.
Two wreaths were placed at each of the two monuments, then James Becker, commander of the VFW, said a few words and asked for a moment of silence for the missing in action.
Butt closed the ceremony by thanking all for attending and expressing appreciation at seeing the Scouts in attendance.
“You are our future,” he told them. “Learn from what you see here going on.”
He concluded by saying, “One of the honors you can do every day is, when you see a veteran, tell them, ‘thank you for your service.’ That goes a long way.”
