LI Salutes Veterans: 'Our Freedoms Came At Great Cost And Sacrifice'

SOUTHOLD, NY — Crowds gathered in solemn tribute during Veterans Day services across Long Island Friday, offering respect to heroes who have sacrificed everything to help preserve the nation's freedoms for future generations.

Just as ceremonies took place in towns and villages Island-wide, in Southold, a beloved annual tradition unfolded at the annual Veterans Day service, held at the American Legion's Griswold Terry Glover Post 803 on Main Road.

Commander Charles Sanders of the American Legion reminded those gathered that Veterans Day honors those who have served and are still serving the nation; he also acknowledged Southold's veterans who have worked tirelessly to preserve freedoms.

Those in attendance at the service included members of Post 803, veterans, members of the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, Scouts, elected officials, and the community.

Sanders honored two heroes, whose names will be added to the future 9/11 pavers that will surround a Swamp White Oak sapling that was planted last year, derived directly from the trees located at the 9/11 memorial in New York City.

A family who lives in New York City, who Sanders named as Noah, Susanne, and Oliver, collected the Swamp White Oak acorns on their daily walks by the World Trade Center Memorial during the pandemic, he explained. "They nurtured the acorns in their apartment and found great meaning in watching them sprout," Sanders said.

Next, in the summer of 2020, they gave a sprout to a North Fork family, Peter, Claire and Jack, who adopted the seedling and nurtured it, before offering it to the American Legion — and the idea for a permanent memorial was conceived, Sanders said.

Those honored this year were Robert "Kuppy" Horton and 1st Lt. George Sullivan, who served in Vietnam. His grandchildren, Kevin, Ryan, and Mallaigh, carried a sign to the spot where their grandfather's paver will be located.

"Imagine being in Vietnam," Sanders said. "Being dropped from a helicopter and immediately being under fire. Then, think what it was like when they came home. How did America treat them? When I went to Afghanistan and came back, everyone said, 'You guys are awesome.'"

The experience for Vietnam veterans, he said, was far different.

Reading a citation to Sullivan, who died in 2020 — and who also served as Southold Town's tax receiver, Sanders said he received the Navy Cross, the nation's second-highest military decoration — as a Marine during the Vietnam War.

He described Sullivan's heroism as a platoon commander, when while on a search mission and approaching what was believed to be a Viet Cong controlled village, he came under "intense small arms automatic weapons fire from a well-concealed enemy force of estimated battalion size," Sanders said.

"He had a machine gun right in front of him," Sanders said. "He courageously moved across open fire-swept terrain within 10 meters of Viet Cong and silenced the enemy weapon with a grenade. It's like me, tossing a grenade right to that flagpole while guys are shooting at me," Sanders said. When his team's weapon malfunctioned, he moved through enemy fire to help. "The guys were panicking, saying, 'This weapon isn't working,' but instead of being panicked, he cleared the weapon and said, 'Keep firing,'" Sanders said.

Two of his men were wounded and despite risks to his personal safety, he carried them, saving their lives. Even when wounded in his shoulder, arm, and both legs, unable to move, he still persevered, requesting air support and medical evacuation as well as a resupply of ammunition, Sanders said.

"Only after, under the cover of darkness, did he allow himself to be evacuated," Sanders said. "By his intrepid fighting spirit, selfless courage, bold initiative, unwavering devotion of duty and great person risk, reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps."

Sanders reminded that on Veterans Day, "We are commemorating the service of veterans of all wars. We remember how men and women set aside their civilian pursuits to serve the nation's cause, defending the freedom of mankind and preserving our precious American heritage. We believe our strength on the field of battle, on the supply lines which nourished our armed might, lay in the justice of our cause against the forces of evil. We believe our determination made us better warriors because we fought with our minds and our hearts, as well as our bodies."

He added: "We recognize service to our country and her cause does not end with the termination of military service . . . Out of blood and sweat we learned of purpose, sacrifice, tolerance, bravery, and discipline. These are solid foundation stones upon which a great nation is built. In our continuing quest for an honorable world peace, we must cultivate these virtues."

Sanders, who said this was his last year serving as commander of the post, honored Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell, Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski, and NJROTC Senior Instructor Major Bill Grigonis with citations of appreciation ffor their dedicaton and service.

"This is a complete shock to me," Russell said. "This is the greatest honor I think I have ever received. I am deeply humbled."

Russell looked out at the young people, the ROTC, the Scouts, and others in attendance. "You are our future," he said. "I think as the adults look at you today, we know that our future is in good hands."

Russell said the reason for such ceremonies was to recognize and thank veterans, and to "show gratitude for all of our veterans, those that served in the past, those who serve now, those who served in war and those who didn't — all of the brave men and women in our military that serve this nation."

Historically, Russell said, it has been proven that democracy can be under attack at any time.

"The American public sleeps well at night, knowing we are protected and have been, by the greatest military in the entire world," he said.

Veterans Day, one day, seems insufficient to thank heroes for their selfless service, Russell said. "Veterans Day reminds us to hold that gratitude in our hearts for our veterans every single day of the year," he said.

Krupski said that nation's freedoms were secured "at great cost and sacrifice," to veterans. He also thanked Sanders for his service and for the impact he's made on future generations. "They will become good citizens because of your efforts," he said.

Sanders also outlined the four pillars of the American Legion, including veterans' affairs and rehabilitation, national security, Americanism, and child and youth services.

Priscilla Devine of the American Legion's Auxiliary also spoke.

The ceremony was followed by a luncheon for veterans at the Legion served by the Southold Rotary.