Veterans, elected officials, police officers, community members and town families joined together on Monday, November 11 at the Newburgh Town Hall to celebrate and honor the veterans with a brief ceremony. Service members across the branches were represented during the ceremony Monday morning.

American Legion Post 1420 Commander Duane Mickle served as the master of ceremonies for the memorial service, who recognized and thanked veterans in the audience across the various branches. The presentation of the colors was led by members of the Town of Newburgh Police Guard with the Pledge of Allegiance following afterwards. The singing of God Bless America was led by Mickle.

Special guests of the memorial service recognized by Mickle included Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio, Councilmembers Scott Manley, Anthony LoBiondo and Paul Ruggiero, Town Clerk Lisa Ayers, Receiver of Taxes Joseph Pedi, Police Chief Bruce Campbell, Town Justices Richard Clarino and Jude Martini, Parks Commissioner Jim Presutti, Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson, Orange County Legislator Genesis Ramos and councilman elect Jim Politi.

“Welcome everyone and thank you for attending. Veterans Day is an official United States holiday that honors people that have served in the US armed forces. It’s a federal holiday observed on November 11, and also marks the anniversary of the end of World War I. Major hostilities of World War One were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day on the 11th month in 1918,” said Supervisor Piaquadio. “The United States originally observed Armistice Day then evolved into the current Veterans Day in 1954. Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day. Veterans Day celebrates the service of all the US military veterans, while Memorial Day is a day remembering the men and women who died while serving. Please make your best effort to thank a veteran, not just today, but every day, and please encourage our elected leaders to give the veterans the very benefits that they deserve.”

During the course of the ceremony, several other speakers talked about the sacrifices made by the men and women who wear the uniform and the sacrifices made by loved ones and families at home. Veterans across the generations who fought in Normandy to Afghanistan were thanked for their dedicated service in defending the country’s freedom and values. Further calls were made by speakers to support veterans in their communities even after the day.

“On this day Veterans Day, we commemorate the services of veterans of all wars. We remember how men and women set aside their pursuits to serve the nation’s cause defending the freedom of man and preserving our precious American heritage,” said Mickle. “We continue our endeavors on behalf of an honorable world peace with the feeling of profound gratitude to God and to the men and women who gave their lives as part of the cost of this noblest cause.”

Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson closed out the event with remarks of gratitude for veterans and a call on the audience to remember veterans each day. “We thank you for your service, and we thank families who supported them as well, my colleagues in government and those first responders that are here. We must always remember our veterans,” said Jacobson. “It’s important to remember all our veterans every day.”

The ceremony concluded with the final retirement of the colors followed by photos and several brief moments of discussion amongst those gathered before dispersing for the day. Guests of the ceremony were invited to the American Legion post building on Union Avenue for refreshments after the ceremony.