By Oscar Montenegro
Veterans from all over Queens of different generations came together Thursday morning for the annual Veterans Day Observance Ceremony. But this year’s observance was of special significance. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, or Veteran’s Day, where Allies and Germany agreed to end the fighting and the end of the First World War.
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz kicked off the ceremony with the posting of the colors from the JROTC Color Guard from Francis Lewis High School, as well as welcoming veterans from Queens who fought in different wars from World War II to the Vietnam War to the Gulf War.
“I know that I have a ten [year-old] and a seven-year-old,” Katz said. “I know that every single night when I put my children to bed, I am only able to do that because of the sacrifices that each and every one of you made for our country.”
Katz continued, “We will be honoring every men and women who fought for this country every day in any administration that I am in.”
According to Katz, Queens has the largest veteran population in New York City, and it has strong veteran advocacy groups such as the American Legion and the Jewish War Veterans.
Katz was joined onstage by special guests ranging from religious figures to government officials to veterans who were honored at the event.
Rabbi Eli Blokh, who gave the invocation, said, “If it weren’t for my grandfather who fought Hitler, I wouldn’t be here right now.”
Senator Joe Addabbo, who gave a speech to the veterans, said, “How do we say ‘thank you’ to our veterans? We do so by the actions we do up in Albany, in Washington, in the city.”
Addabbo added, “I think our government has a direct obligation to do what we can for our veterans, and what we do is only scratching the surface of what we can do.”
Referencing Tuesday’s midterm elections, Addabbo said, “There is no room for politics when talking about how to help our veterans.”
According to Addabbo, this year’s state budget includes more money for veteran programs and has six bills heading to Governor Andrew Cuomo that provide further help.
Since this year Veterans Day marks one-hundred-years since the end of the First World War, Helen Day from Richmond Hill Historical Society spoke about the war. “More than 4.7 million Americans fought in the war,” said, “and more than 100,000 died.”
Day continued, “Some men signed up for service, some were drafted, some had the option to opt-out, but joined anyway.”
The ceremony continued with Katz presenting honors to three veterans for their service and sacrifices in protecting the nation. The first recipient was Staff Sergeant Steven Epps, who fought in the Vietnam War. After receiving his awards, Epp said, “It was an honor to serve.”
The second recipient was Lieutenant Sarah Bradwisch, who was a nurse during Operation Desert Storm in the Gulf War and Operation Desert Shield in the Iraq War. After receiving her award, Bradwisch said, “I think we all know this quote from Maya Angelou, ‘How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes – and she-roes!’”
The third and final recipient was Private First Class Luke Gasparre, who fought during the Second World War. Gasparre helped free a town under Nazi control and worked for the New York Mets for over fifty years.
“I served in World War Ii,” Gasparre said. “We must protect those who protect us from those who wish us harm and threaten our way of life.” Gasparre was greeted with a standing ovation.
The ceremony ended with veterans, along with others, naming those who had been veterans and had passed away.
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