Photos: Moving Veterans Day Ceremony in Southold Honors Nation's Heroes

SOUTHOLD, NY — Southold Town came together to honor its heroes Friday in a moving Veterans Day ceremony at the Southold American Legion's Griswold Terry Glover Post 803 on Main Road.

The event began with the NJROTC posting the colors.

Post 803's Commander and Historian Charles Sanders, an Afghanistan veteran and current officer with the Army National Guard, introduced the Post's acting chaplain Jeff Chagnon, a United States Marine and Vietnam veteran, who read a prayer.

"Grant us patience in planning with our fellow men and women a world in which nations may resolve their differences by peaceful means," Chagnon prayed.

Honored were 50 year members Robert Mullgraf, a former United States Navy ver from WWII and survivor of the USS Franklin, Harold Schwerdt, former United States Army Air Corp and surviving POW, and former Commander George R. Sullivan, a Vietnam veteran and recipient of the Navy Cross.

Sanders thanked the crowd for attending. "On this day, 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 their nation's cause, defending the freedom of mankind and preserving our precious American heritage," Sanders said.

"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," he said. "We believe our determination made us better warriors because we fought with our minds and our hearts as well as our bodies. . . Out of our blood and sweat we learned of purpose, sacrifice, tolerance, bravery and discipline. These are solid foundation stones upon which a great nation is built."

Past Commander of Post 803, United States Marine of the Korean War Ray Terry spoke. "Let us strive to see the same spirit of self-sacrifice is cultivate in peace as has been exhibited in war."

Terry was followed by Sullivan. ""Courage is one of the virtues born of war — the courage of individuals in the face of danger and the courage of nations to protect the weak and punish the aggressor. There is bravery shown in peace as well. . .The bravery that fights for political, social, economic and spiritual gains may be more difficult to practice — may be unsung when achieved — but it is all the more worth striving for."

Also presented with a certificate of appreciation was Phyllis Constan, whose father, Dr. Meyer Rosenberg, created a sculpture, "Battle Fatigue," which now sits outside the Legion.

Her father, Constan said, left to fight in WWII when she was only 16 months old and returned when she was four and a half. "The war was life-changing," she said; he left as a general practictioner and came home wanting to become a neurosurgeon. Later, he became interested in sculpture. "He said, 'Surgery and sculputre are very similar, but marble doesn't bleed,'" she said.

Her father, she said, would be so very proud to be remembered for his sculpture as well for his work as a physician.

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell spoke, noting that only a few days ago, Americans headed to the polls to vote. And whether or not they were happy with the results, they had the freedom to vote as they chose, because America is a democracy, he said.

"The fact that we had the right to choose is what matters most," he said. "Democracy is possible because of the veterans we are here to honor," those whose lives were lost and those who are still fighting today, he said, thanking the nation's heroes for their courage and sacrifice.

Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski agreed, and said that veterans are the ones who made the nation's freedom possible. "We are truly blessed," he said.

"We love our veterans," Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo said. He discussed a bill that was vetoed twice by the governor due to lack of funding that has finally passed, allowing for military service credit in local and state retirement systems.

Palumbo added that it's not the "agitators. . journalists. . .poets" that have won the hard-fought freedoms Americans enjoy. "It's the soldiers."

Referring to President-elect Donald Trump, Palumbo said he has promised to restore rights to veterans, which have been "derelict."

He then quoted George Washington: "To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace."

Sanders then gave a brief history of the American Legion, chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization, with Four Pillars, veterans affairs and rehabilitation, national security, Americanism, and children and youth.

During the ceremony, the Ladies Auxiliary was also honored for their hard work; tribute was paid to Florence Wagner, who died this week.

The crowd listened respectfully as both "Taps" and the "Star-Spangled Banner" were played; later, Cub Scouts were recognized.

Chagnon then gave a history of the large banner honoring veterans, which has been displayed for eight years, after having been created by fifth grade teacher Peg Dickerson's class, and donated to the Legion after she retired.

Sanders invited the crowd to the Legion for a drink at the bar Friday night, where he'd be bartending. "I encourage you to search out a veteran, say 'hello,' and thank them for their service."

A collection of non-perishable food for Boots on the Ground is continuing through the weekend with a donation box set up outside the Legion.