SOMERS, N.Y. - The community turned out in force to honor all those who had served in the U.S. military – and Mother Nature cooperated with bright skies – on Veterans Day in Somers.
Giving the keynote speech Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the veterans monument at historic Ivandell Cemetery was Town Supervisor Robert Scorrano. Guest speaker was Mallory Lind, a veteran of the U.S. Air National Guard.
Scorrano thanked veterans not only for their service and sacrifices, but also for their continuing contributions to their communities.
He emphasized that it was up to everyone to pass the message to the next generation that it’s not enough just to inherit the “greatest nation on Earth”; they have to have the “courage to preserve it,” too.
“Your willingness to stand up for your country is invaluable,” said Lind, who was wearing a “Served Like a Girl” T-shirt under her blazer.
The turnout was “truly amazing,” according to the Somers Police Benevolent Association, which thanked “everyone who came out to show their support” on social media.
It “once again reminded us how fortunate we are to live in a town that so deeply values and honors its veterans,” the PBA said.
Presiding over the ceremony was Joseph Manna of the Somers Veterans Committee. The Somers Volunteer Fire Department displayed an enormous American flag.
The usual parade from Bailey Park unfortunately had to be canceled because Route 202, a state road, was being used as a detour route for traffic diverted by the Route 22 culvert project and couldn't be closed.
Somers Historical Society Trustee De Wittmann recognized the 22 Revolutionary War veterans who are interred at Ivandell and other smaller cemeteries in town.
Her organization has worked with Eagle Scout candidate Samuel Dwyer of Troop 228, whose project was to mark each veteran’s grave and create an online directory of their names.
Local Girl Scouts led the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, the Somers Middle School Advanced Choir sang the national anthem and “God Bless America,” and the SMS Fife and Drum Club provided patriotic music before the main ceremony got underway.
State Assemblyman Matt Slater of Yorktown, who is an officer in the Navy Reserve, spoke briefly.
The Rev. Fr. Robert Carolan of St. Joseph’s R.C. Church gave the invocation, and the Rev. Mary McCarthy of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church delivered the closing prayer.
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