Bronxites Celebrate Memorial Day

Bronxites remembered the fallen in foreign wars yesterdays, and all veterans, as flags could be seen around the borough and public celebrations took place such as the one Van Nest at their local memorial park.  Above is video from the event in Van Nest.  Listen to hear a number of tales of Bronx veterans from years past.

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Rich Vitacco,a local historian and veteran, was the MC for the event.

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Councilmember Ritchie Torres referenced the patriotic spirit of the Van Nest community, with local streets named for US Presidents. (Van Buren, Taylor, Adams, and Garfield)

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Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, in his remarks, spoke of his discussion with his family about the treatment of recent veterans and the problems plaguing the VA, as well as speaking of gratitude for those who served.

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Veteran and Bronx Chronicle publisher Sal Conforto gave a heartfelt story of his immigration to the United States, and how being drafted helped him understand who to thank for the freedom and liberty he adopted.  “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” he ended.

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“Arlington National Cemetery: Remember” was read by Community Board 11 District Manager Jeremy Warneke.)  The text is below:

Sit; listen to the silence. 
Sit; listen to the valor. 
Rest, and listen to the whisper of the wind. 

The wind carries the message.
The message is honor.
Honor is remembrance.

The past bristles with dignity.
Dignity bristles with strength and courage.
Sons, daughters, husbands and wives, forever rest in a sea of grace.

Tears flow, salutes are crisp and rigid.
Valor and honor is laid to rest.
Alone they are not, forgotten they are not.

We stand beside them and bow our heads.
We sit next to them and look skyward.
We love, we respect, and we humble ourselves in their presence.

The thunder of silence echoes through the hills.
The silence of a passing, the thunder of valor is remembered.
Unknowns they are not, forever being in our hearts.

The wind carries the whisper.
Whispers carry the message.
The message is the silence of respect.

Sit; listen to the silence.
Sit; listen to the valor.
Rest, and listen to the whisper of the wind.

(by Bruce Alan Humphrey)

 

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