American Legion Greenlawn Post 1244 Hosts Annual Veterans Day Ceremony
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By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com
The frigid weather didn’t stop more than 100 people from attending Saturday’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony hosted by American Legion Greenlawn Post 1244.
The ceremony, hosted each year at Greenlawn Memorial Park, honors both those who have served and those who continue to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Community members joined veterans of Post 1244, American Legion Northport Post 694, American Legion Huntington Post 360, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1469 Nathan Hale Post in Huntington Station, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9263 Elwood Commack, and members of the Marine Corps League.
The Harborfields High School choir also attended, singing both the national anthem and “God Bless America.”
In his speech, Post 12144 Commander Dennis Madden quoted Winston Churchill: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” Madden said these words had a profound impact on him.
Madden continued to reflect on the sacrifices that have been made from veterans, those currently serving today, and the families who lost loved ones. He urged the community not to forget those sacrifices and the status of our country today.
“If not for the news about how poorly things are being handled by one guy or another, you wouldn’t know the nation is at war,” Madden said. “Most of the populous has certainly not forgotten, but has relinquished in the back of their minds that 2,977 of our citizens were murdered on Sept. 11, 2001. Other than the fact that our family members are still elsewhere for long periods, all has returned to normal. Life goes on.”
With that, Madden added that it’s important to remember those who have given so much of their better times, not only on Veterans Day, but every day.
“When we encounter them, a simple ‘thank you for your service’ goes such a long way,” he said. “We all know who they are. Take the time to verbalize their sacrifice for our community and this country. You’ll be happy you did, I promise.”
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of the wreaths in memory of the men and women from all conflicts who have lost their lives. The wreaths were saluted by veterans as they were placed on the monument by members of Post 1244, Greenlawn Post 1244 Ladies Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9263 Elwood Commack, Greenlawn Civic Association, Greenlawn Fire Department, Greenlawn Lions Club, Girls Scout Troop 286, and Girl Scout Troop 2150.
