About 150 town residents gathered at the Veterans’ Memorial in front of Marlboro Middle School for a ceremony marking Veterans Day 2024. Appropriately, the ceremony took place at 11 a.m. – hewing to a tradition set by President Dwight Eisenhower, when he proclaimed in 1954 proclaiming that American veterans would henceforth be honored on the “11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.”

“It’s important that we take the time today to remember the sacrifices they’ve have made for all of us, defending our country, and our way of life so that we all can live in the freedom of the country that we all love,” said Town Supervisor Scott Corcoran. “Veterans endure long separations from their families. They miss the births of their children. They experience freezing and subzero temperatures and bake in wild jungles across the continents.

“It is this commitment and willingness to serve the Armed Forces that we stay safe and strong,” Corcoran said.

Rev. Thomas Dicks, pastor of St. Mary’s Church, said the invocation. “As we come into this fall season, let us ever be mindful of others,” he said. “Help our members as we get our programs under way for our veterans. Help us always to keep them uppermost in our minds and never stray from that. Quiet our hearts and minds as we work together for you and for our country.”

Remarks followed from Zachary Dina, an eighth grader at Marlboro Middle School. Dina recently raised $600 from selling donuts to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit organization begun in 2003 to assist the first injured service people returning from the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“Veterans Day is more than just a date on the calendar – it’s a reminder of the countless sacrifices made by all those who have won the uniform of our Armed Forces Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard,” Dina said. “Veterans Day gives us a chance to show our appreciation for all those who served our country with unwavering dedication and sacrifice. It’s a special day when communities come together to express their sincere gratitude and respect for the brave men and women who protect their freedoms and values.”

Retired Marine Corps Vet Eric Simmons served from 1997 through 2010, including three combat tours in Iraq from 2004 through 2007. “We never served for a 10 percent discount on November 11th. We never served to get a pat on our back. We served because we had a deep reason to,” Simmons said. “Today’s not a somber holiday like Memorial Day. In fact, today is a celebration for all veterans.

“So, when you see an older guy with a military hat on, or a t-shirt with the sleeves cut off, or a scraggly beard…Don’t be afraid,” Simmons said. “Just say thank you. All we want is to be remembered for everything that we have done in sacrifice.”

The Veterans Day ceremony was also an occasion for Marlboro High School Senior Giancarlo Doddo to take a bow of sorts. Doddo will soon earn his Eagle Scout honors and refurbished the Marlboro Veterans Memorial as his community service project. His enhancements included installing solar lighting and service flags at the memorial, re-landscaping the grounds around it, and setting up a new, wireless public address system there.

“I used to drive by and thought about how plain it looked – and that our veterans deserve more,” said Doddo. “I’d like to thank all of you for the opportunity to do this project.”

After the ceremony, all veterans were invited to the Marlboro American Legion Post 124 for an appreciation luncheon of grilled cheese sandwiches and homemade soup. Tom Schroeder, past commander and emcee of the ceremony, pointed out that in 1980 about 18 percent of U.S. adults were vets. Today, that number has dwindled to 5 percent.

“Every year America loses distinguished veterans, who were eyewitness to events that shape our world,” said Schroeder, who is also the town’s historian. “And today our active-duty service people comprise just one half of one percent of eligible Americans. Our veterans count on their service being honored and respected by the American people – and the simplest way to do that is to just say ‘thank you for your service.’
“Thank all of you for being here today – and God Bless America!” he concluded.