Warwick's Memorial Park hosts Veterans Day ceremony

Veterans ‘are the shoulders we stand on’ WARWICK - Although it was unseasonably mild for a November day, with clear skies and temperatures approaching 70 degrees, the turnout of local citizens was light for the annual Veterans Day ceremony in Warwick’s Memorial Park. Nevertheless, it was an important event and those who did attend were impressed by the members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4662, American Legion Post 214, public officials and guest speakers who honor our veterans each year. The brief ceremony began, as tradition dictates, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. On Saturday, Nov. 11, VFW Post 4662 Commander Theodore Cody opened the official ceremony at that exact time. He explained it was the moment in 1918 when the Armistice was signed ending the hostilities of World War I. A year later, President Woodrow Wilson issued his “Armistice Day” proclamation. After being declared a legal holiday in 1938 and following the Korean War, Armistice Day was renamed “Veterans Day.” President Dwight Eisenhower signed the order. Rev. Duncan Truman then gave the invocation and later, Cody introduced the guest speakers who included New York State Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt, Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton, Mayor Michael Newhard, Warwick Town Justice Peter Barlet and American Legion Post 214 Commander Walter Parkinson. In a brief departure from the usual ceremony, local singer and songwriter Bill Misener sang “The Veteran’s Waltz,” a song he composed for a new album. Referring to all veterans and those currently in military service, Newhard said: “You are the shoulders we stand on and we remain eternally grateful.” Sweeton praised the veterans as those who “answered the call so that we can continue to live in freedom.” Barlet noted: “We need to bring the political process behind our soldiers. At the end of this war we need to make them proud of what they’ve done.” American Legion Post 214 Commander Walter Parkinson expressed his gratitude to all the veterans and guests present at the ceremony. After the traditional salute during the playing of taps, VFW Post 4662 Chaplain Clayton Eurich closed the ceremony with a prayer.